Bird's Eye Chilli Prices Surge to Rp 95,000 as Surabaya Market Traders Lament Thin Crowds During Ramadhan

SURABAYA – Chilli traders at Pasar Keputran Utara and Pasar Manyar in Surabaya have complained about sparse customer traffic during Ramadhan 2026. Sales have remained erratic in the lead-up to this year’s Eid celebration, a sharp contrast to last year’s Ramadhan period, which saw a significant surge in buyers.

Large chillies and curly chillies have maintained relatively stable prices at around Rp 30,000 per kilogram. Bird’s eye chillies, however, have spiked dramatically to as high as Rp 95,000 per kilogram.

Monika, 35, a chilli trader at Pasar Keputran Utara, explained that bird’s eye chilli prices have continued to fluctuate throughout Ramadhan. “They go up and down, sir. Sometimes 60,000, sometimes 65,000, sometimes 85,000, sometimes 90,000,” she told Kompas.com on Thursday (12 March 2026).

The highest prices reached between Rp 90,000 and Rp 95,000 per kilogram. Large chillies and curly chillies, by contrast, were being sold at more affordable prices. Both varieties were marketed at approximately Rp 30,000 per kilogram.

Monika believes the primary issue extends beyond pricing to the diminishing number of buyers in the market. Traders who typically manage to sell tens of tonnes of chillies daily now can only move between 5 and 6 quintals per day when foot traffic is slow.

The market’s customers come from diverse backgrounds, including housewives, street vendors, and small traders purchasing wholesale for resale. “Business is quiet now, sir. It’s been quiet since Ramadhan started. There are no people at the market,” Monika said.

Another chilli trader, Nanik, 29, noted that large and curly chilli prices had remained within the same range. “Right now, large chillies cost 30,000, and the curly ones cost the same, 30,” Nanik said.