BPS: Farmers' Exchange Rate Drops 0.08 Percent in March 2026

Jakarta, VIVA – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS), through its Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, Ateng Hartono, reported that the national Farmers’ Exchange Rate (NTP) in March 2026 reached 125.35, down 0.08 percent from February 2026.

He stated that the decline in NTP occurred because the index of prices received by farmers (It) rose 0.33 percent, which was lower than the index of prices paid by farmers (Ib) that increased 0.41 percent.

“BPS also recorded an average rise in rice prices, with 0.54 percent at the milling level, 0.96 percent at the wholesale level, and 0.65 percent at the retail level on a month-to-month (mtm) basis,” said Ateng during a teleconference press briefing on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

Previously, Ateng had reported that in March 2026, inflation stood at 0.41 percent on a monthly basis, or month-to-month (mtm), representing an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from 110.50 in February 2026 to 110.95 in March 2026.

He explained that this March 2026 inflation figure was lower than the previous year’s 1.65 percent. Meanwhile, calendar-year inflation was recorded at 0.94 percent.

“The expenditure group contributing the largest to monthly inflation was food, beverages, and tobacco at 1.07 percent, contributing 0.32 percent to inflation,” said Ateng.

He detailed that the dominant commodities driving inflation in this group were fresh fish, broiler chicken meat, rice, broiler chicken eggs, cayenne peppers, cooking oil, and beef.

“Meanwhile, commodities that still contributed to deflation in March 2026 include air transport fares and gold jewellery, each at 0.03 percent,” he said.

Ateng added that, when viewed by components, inflation in March 2026 was mainly driven by volatile component inflation, contributing 0.27 percent. The dominant commodities contributing to inflation were broiler chicken meat, rice, broiler chicken eggs, cayenne peppers, and beef.

“The core component contributed 0.08 percent to inflation, with dominant commodities in this group being cooking oil and rice with side dishes,” he said.