Central Java Governor's Market Inspection: Prices Stable, Supplies Secure Ahead of Eid
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi inspected Pasar Bunder in Sragen Regency on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. The inspection was conducted to ensure the availability and stability of essential commodity prices ahead of Idulfitri.
Accompanied by several regional officials, including the Food Security Agency and the Industry and Trade Agency of Central Java, Luthfi directly monitored the market conditions, which were starting to bustle with residents’ activities. Demand was increasing as the holiday approached.
At the location, Luthfi engaged in conversations with traders and buyers. He inquired about the prices of several commodities while ensuring that supplies remained secure. On that occasion, he also purchased goods from traders in bulk and distributed them to residents.
“The provincial government has the Siaga application to monitor prices, but that is not enough. We must check directly in the field, especially approaching H-2 Lebaran,” he said.
According to Luthfi, food stability is determined by two main factors: availability and affordability of prices. He assessed that both were still maintained. The price increases that occurred were deemed still within reasonable limits due to rising demand.
He exemplified the price of cayenne pepper, which previously approached Rp 100,000 per kilogram, now dropping to around Rp 70,000. Meanwhile, beef prices ranged from Rp 130,000 to Rp 140,000 per kilogram, depending on quality.
The monitoring results showed that rice prices remained stable and within the Highest Retail Price (HET) range. Horticultural commodities such as shallots and garlic experienced gradual increases due to fluctuations in supply and distribution.
Nevertheless, overall prices were assessed as controlled, with no significant spikes found. Supplies of essential goods were also confirmed to be secure.
Luthfi emphasised that the provincial government would promptly intervene if price surges occurred in certain markets. “As soon as there is an increase, we will intervene directly through the relevant agencies and regional-owned enterprises,” he stated.
Head of the Central Java Industry and Trade Agency, Julie Emmy, said that prices of inflation-contributing commodities were currently relatively stable. She noted that the price of red cayenne pepper, previously Rp 70,000, had now dropped to around Rp 65,000 per kilogram.
She also assured that stocks of rice, both premium and medium, were in safe condition. Minyakita supplies, she said, continued to be distributed by Bulog to the markets.
Price control was carried out through application monitoring, field inspections, and market interventions by the food regional-owned enterprise PT Jateng Agro Berdikari. Programmes such as the Affordable Food Movement were also held to maintain price affordability.
Director of PT Jateng Agro Berdikari, Totok Siswanto, said that price monitoring was conducted daily across 35 regencies/cities in Central Java. That data served as the basis for determining intervention steps.
“When there is a significant increase, we immediately act through market operations,” he stated.
The Central Java Provincial Government stated that it would continue to strengthen price monitoring, distribution, and market interventions to maintain price stability and ensure that the needs of the community are met ahead of Lebaran.