Central Java Holds 1,724 Affordable Food Market Events to Keep Staple Prices Down

The information was delivered by Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi as he opened a simultaneous Affordable Food Movement (Gerakan Pangan Murah, or GPM) event to mark the 46th World Food Day at Tlogo Resort Field in Semarang Regency.

Luthfi said food availability must be matched by affordable prices. The government therefore needs to intervene so that people can meet their basic needs while ensuring the continued viability of farmers’ and livestock breeders’ businesses.

“Stock availability alone is not enough if people cannot afford it,” Luthfi said in a written statement on Wednesday (21 October 2026).

According to Luthfi, local governments should first conduct surveys to determine where GPM events should be held and which commodities are most needed by residents. Areas facing shortages of particular commodities are among the priorities for intervention.

Under this approach, the commodities sold through GPM can be tailored to local supply conditions and demand.

Luthfi added that GPM requires collaboration between local governments, Bank Indonesia, state-owned and regional-owned enterprises, and relevant agencies. As well as keeping prices affordable, the initiative is intended to help control inflation in Central Java.

“Staple food availability is important to the public, as is affordability. This has helped Central Java become one of the provinces where inflation can be kept under control,” Luthfi said.

Central Java Food Security Agency head Widi Hartanto reported that 1,724 GPM events had been held across the province’s 35 regencies and municipalities during 2026, with total sales of Rp31,032,488,764. Participants included Perum Bulog, state-owned and regional-owned enterprises, cooperatives, farmer groups, village-owned enterprises and private-sector partners.

At the event in Semarang Regency, 7.5 tonnes of rice were available at prices starting from Rp57,000 per 5 kilogrammes, along with 2,000 litres of cooking oil priced at Rp15,500 per litre. Other goods on sale included eggs, chicken, chillies, shallots, garlic, fruit and vegetables.

The Central Java provincial government also provided a 12-tonne subsidised maize allocation, available at a redemption price of Rp5,500 per kilogramme to small-scale livestock breeders with fewer than 5,000 animals.

In addition, 5 tonnes of subsidised rice were offered at Rp12,000 per kilogramme and 300 kilogrammes of organic rice at Rp15,000 per kilogramme.

The government also distributed food from the Regional Government Food Reserve (CPPD) to 505 beneficiaries: 205 residents of Delik Village and 300 residents of Tuntang Village.

Mohamad Noor Nugroho, head of Bank Indonesia’s Central Java representative office, said inflation in the province stood at 3.18%, below the national rate of 3.28%.

Although inflation is relatively under control, food price stability still faces challenges, including the El Niño phenomenon, rat infestations, distribution costs and spikes in demand at certain times.

“We hope that the Affordable Food Movement, like the one we are holding today—particularly when events take place simultaneously—can help control inflation across Central Java,” Noor said.

Bank Indonesia and the Central Java Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) are also promoting stronger food production and distribution through irrigation improvements, water-pump installations, pest control, inter-regional co-operation and a stronger role for PT Jateng Agro Berdikari.

One resident, Purwati, said she had benefited from the prices offered at the GPM. She cited shallots at Rp24,000 per kilogramme, compared with Rp28,000 per kilogramme at local shops.

Granulated sugar was also available for Rp16,000 per kilogramme, below the usual price of Rp18,000. Cooking oil was priced at Rp31,000 for 2 litres, while chicken eggs cost Rp20,000 per kilogramme.

Another resident, Maryam, said she hoped the affordable market events would be held more often, giving residents more opportunities to buy basic necessities at accessible prices.

“Yes, thank God, it has really helped. I hope it happens here often. Thank you, Mr President, and thank you, Governor. Please hold markets like this more often; they are a great help,” Maryam said.