BPS Issues Warning as Food Prices Surge
The Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has begun warning of rising prices for several food commodities across various regions. Red chillies, cooking oil, bird’s eye chillies, and shallots were recorded as the primary commodities experiencing price increases during the second week of May 2026.
Head of BPS, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, stated that red chillies represent the commodity with the most widespread price increases. As of mid-May 2026, price hikes for red chillies have been recorded in 247 regencies and cities.
According to Amalia, spatially, the price increases for red chillies and bird’s eye chillies are most prevalent in the Sumatra and Java regions. In other areas, price increases are more heavily influenced by rice and red chillies.
BPS noted that, on a national average, the price of red chillies remains below the Maximum Retail Price (HAP) of Rp37,000–Rp55,000 per kilogram. However, the increase is becoming significant compared to the previous month.
“In general, the price of red chillies up to the second week of May 2026 has risen by 7.71% compared to April 2026. However, we need to monitor this closely once the price of red chillies touches above the upper limit of the HAP,” Amalia said during the Inflation Control Coordination Meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday (18/5/2026).
She assessed that price surges in several regions must be viewed with caution, as not all have immediately exceeded the reference price limits. For instance, in Subulussalam City, the red chilli Volatility Index (IPH) rose by 69.77%, yet the price level remains below the HAP.
“Therefore, we may need to pay attention not only to the changes in the IPH we monitor, but also the price levels of these commodities to see whether they have exceeded the HAP or are still within a reasonable range,” she added.
In addition to chillies, BPS is also paying close attention to cooking oil prices, which are rising in hundreds of regions. Amalia noted that 227 regencies and cities have experienced increases in cooking oil prices.
Nationally, the average price of cooking oil has reached Rp19,927 per litre. Meanwhile, the average price of ‘MinyaKita’ (government-subsidised oil) stands at Rp16,301 per litre, which is still above the Maximum Retail Price (HET) of Rp15,700 per litre.
Price increases are also occurring for bird’s eye chillies, with BPS recording price hikes in 107 regencies and cities.
Furthermore, national shallot prices have now exceeded the upper limit of the consumer HAP. The average price of shallots reached Rp44,071 per kg, with increases occurring in 171 regencies and cities. Some areas recorded much higher prices; for example, in Melawi Regency, shallot prices reached Rp60,000 per kg in the second week of May.
Similarly, national granulated sugar prices have surpassed the consumer HAP of Rp17,500 per kg. BPS recorded that the average price of granulated sugar is now Rp18,874 per kg, with increases in 125 regencies and cities. Amalia cited Pegunungan Bintang Regency, where sugar prices reached Rp40,625 per kg, approximately 132% above the HAP. Other regions, including Pelalawan, Mempawah, Luwu Utara, Humbang Hasundutan, Rokan Hilir, and Tapanuli Utara, also recorded sugar prices reaching Rp20,000 per kg.