Central Java Province Distributes Subsidised Chillies in 15 Regions to Curb Prices

Wed, 25 Feb 2026, 14:35 WIB | By indrastuti | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Agriculture

To curb prices that remain above the government’s reference price (HAP) of IDR 57,000 per kilogram, the Central Java Provincial Government is distributing subsidised chillies in 15 regencies and cities in Central Java.

As monitored by Media Indonesia on Wednesday (25/2), the Central Java Provincial Government is conducting market interventions to address the still-high prices of chillies, which remain above the government’s reference price (HAP) of IDR 57,000 per kilogram, by holding special red chilli market operations in various regions at a price of IDR 65,000 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, although the price of red chillies has decreased in traditional markets in several areas of Central Java from IDR 90,000-IDR 110,000 per kilogram to IDR 70,000-IDR 80,000, it is still considered quite high, resulting in a decrease in purchasing power and contributing to inflation.

“Prices have decreased after the provincial and regional governments launched the affordable food movement (GPM) compared to before,” said Abdul Latif, a chilli supplier in the Semarang area on Wednesday (25/2).

For chilli traders, Supartiningsih, another chilli supplier at Pasar MAJT in Semarang City, said that the high price of chillies was due to weather factors because several major producing areas such as Pemalang, Semarang Regency, Temanggung, Demak, and Pati have not yet had a major harvest and many chilli plants have been damaged due to high rainfall.

“Traders also cannot do much, if the purchase price from farmers is already high, then they are forced to sell it high, and vice versa,” she added.

To address the still-high price of chillies, the Central Java Provincial Government is taking strategic steps to curb prices that have soared by 49 percent from the government’s reference price (HAP) by distributing subsidised red chillies in 15 regencies and cities in Central Java.

The Head of the Food Security Agency of Central Java Province, Dyah Lukisari, said that the current market price of red chillies is IDR 85,000 per kilogram, while the maximum HAP set is IDR 57,000 per kilogram, so the Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, ordered to take strategic steps with market operations.

“In response to the increase in chilli prices, especially red chillies in the second week of February, we intervened by distributing chilli subsidies of 3 tons in 15 regencies and cities,” said Dyah Lukisari.

The distribution of subsidised red chillies at a price of IDR 65,000 per kilogram, said Dyah Lukisari, is to ensure that people’s purchasing power is maintained, with the target areas being Semarang City, Salatiga City, Tegal City, Pekalongan City, Demak Regency, Rembang, Pati, Semarang, Klaten, Tegal, Karanganyar, Jepara, Brebes, Banyumas and Sukoharjo. (H-2)

The increase in the price of red chillies, which has reached the highest retail price, is the largest contributor to the increase in the regional food price index.

Although several areas have been affected by hydrometeorological disasters, the stock of staple food in West Sumatra is in a safe and sufficient condition for the next few months.

The price of Minyakita at the consumer level has been set and must be obeyed by all business actors. The price of Minyakita at the consumer level is IDR 15,700 per liter.

“To all food business actors, please pay attention to the reference prices that have been set by the government, especially during Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr.”

The price of red chillies, which had soared to IDR 80,000 per kg, is now only IDR 36,000 per kg. The price of broiler eggs has decreased from IDR 30,000 to IDR 28,000 per kg.

The price of medium rice at the Sidodadi Market in Cilacap is in the range of IDR 13,000–IDR 13,500 per kg and premium rice is IDR 14,000–IDR 14,500 per kg.

The highest retail price (HET) of Minyakita is set at IDR 15,700 per liter. The purchase by end consumers is limited to a maximum of 12 liters per person per day.

Banyumas Regency is considered to have successfully managed waste comprehensively, from sorting to final utilization.

In Purwokerto, price decreases occurred in broiler meat, red chillies, bird’s eye chillies, red onions, and broiler eggs.

This distribution is aimed at strengthening the availability of people’s cooking oil stocks while maintaining affordable prices on the market, especially ahead of Ramadan.

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