BPS warns of elevated bird's eye chilli prices in several regions

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has noted that bird’s eye chilli prices remain elevated across numerous districts and municipalities, although the number of regions experiencing price increases has begun to decline.

BPS Head Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti reported that the national average price for bird’s eye chilli reached Rp71,429 per kilogram during the first week of March 2026, compared with the government reference price (HAP) of Rp57,000 per kilogram.

“Although the number of districts and municipalities experiencing bird’s eye chilli price increases has declined, there are several areas that require attention regarding their chilli price escalation,” Amalia said in Jakarta on Monday.

One region experiencing notably sharp increases is West Bandung District, where bird’s eye chilli prices stood at Rp79,000 per kilogram—approximately 38.6 per cent above the reference price—with the price development index (IPH) rising 44.63 per cent.

Even steeper increases occurred in Cirebon District, which recorded bird’s eye chilli prices of up to Rp120,000 per kilogram, or approximately 110.5 per cent above the reference price. The commodity in this area continued to experience increases, with IPH changes of 31.47 per cent.

Price spikes were also recorded in East Lombok District, where bird’s eye chilli prices reached Rp114,000 per kilogram—a 100 per cent increase above the reference price. In Boven Digoel District and Bima District, bird’s eye chilli prices were recorded at approximately 50.88 per cent above the reference price.

“Given that bird’s eye chilli is one of the essential commodities for Ramadan, this certainly warrants attention,” Amalia said.

Meanwhile, national shallot prices have begun to ease, although some regions continue to record prices above the reference price.

Nationally, the average shallot price during the first week of March 2026 was recorded at Rp41,906 per kilogram, whilst the reference price stood at Rp36,500 per kilogram.

Amalia noted that shallot prices in Seribu Islands District had reached Rp59,000 per kilogram, a 42.17 per cent increase above the reference price. Price spikes also occurred in Sanggau District, where shallots cost Rp57,800 per kilogram, or 39.28 per cent above the reference price.

However, several regions experienced shallot price declines, such as Jembrana District at Rp32,000 per kilogram—22.89 per cent below the reference price—and Jeneponto District at Rp35,000 per kilogram, or 15.66 per cent below the reference price.