BPS: Chilli and Tomato Prices Drive Inflation in West Java, but It Remains Contained

Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) – Statistics Indonesia (BPS) reported that West Java recorded monthly inflation of 0.2 per cent in October 2026, driven by the prices of chillies and tomatoes.

The head of BPS West Java, Margaretha Ari Anggorowati, said in Bandung on Monday that year-to-date inflation stood at 2.31 per cent, while annual inflation was 2.90 per cent. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 112.69.

Geographically, monitoring of the CPI in 10 regencies and cities showed that the highest annual inflation was in Cirebon City, at 3.02 per cent (CPI 110.89), while the lowest was in Majalengka Regency, at 2.62 per cent (CPI 112.61), Ari said.

On a monthly basis, Bogor City recorded the highest inflation, at 0.35 per cent, while Bandung City had the lowest, at 0.08 per cent.

Ari explained that, although inflation had risen slightly compared with the previous year, it remained within the controlled target range.

“The food, beverages and tobacco group made the largest contribution to inflation this month, at 0.12 percentage points, with inflation in the group reaching 0.41 per cent,” she said.

The price surge in this group was dominated by bird’s eye chillies, red chillies and tomatoes.

“The increase in chilli and tomato prices was caused by limited supplies due to the effects of a prolonged dry season, as well as anthracnose pest attacks on horticultural crops,” she said.

Nevertheless, Ari said, overall inflation was held back by several commodities whose prices fell.

“On the other hand, inflation was tempered by lower prices for broiler chicken and chicken eggs, as supplies were abundant, as well as jewellery gold, which followed the downward trend in gold prices on global markets. Meanwhile, rice prices, which had been a source of inflation concern in previous months, began to show a downward trend in October 2026,” Ari said.

In detail, Ari said the largest contributions to annual inflation came from the food, beverages and tobacco group, at 1.23 percentage points, followed by transport at 0.45 percentage points, personal care and other services at 0.37 percentage points, and food and beverage services/restaurants at 0.27 percentage points.

BPS West Java said the West Java Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) should remain on alert for potential demand surges ahead of the year-end holiday period, particularly to curb price pressures on horticultural produce during the seasonal transition.