Cheap Market Initiative Intensified, Food Prices Stabilised Ahead of Eid
Semarang – The Central Java provincial government is intensifying the Cheap Market Movement (Gerakan Pasar Murah) to maintain food price stability ahead of Eid 2026. Since the beginning of the year through Friday 13 March 2026, the cheap market initiative has been held nearly 200 times across various districts in the province.
This approach is being pursued to anticipate price increases in essential commodities that frequently occur ahead of major religious holidays, particularly during Ramadhan when public demand increases substantially.
Totok Agus Siswanto, Chief Executive of PT Jateng Agro Berdikari (JTAB), stated that cheap markets are being held evenly across 35 districts and cities to ensure adequate stocks of essential goods whilst maintaining affordable prices for the public.
“From January onwards, it’s been nearly 200 times across all of Central Java. Including yesterday we held cheap markets in Sragen, Kudus, and also in Pati and Rembang. Today there are markets in Sukoharjo and Purworejo,” said Totok when confirmed on Saturday 14 March 2026.
One example is the price of chillies in Sragen district, which had previously reached Rp 100,000 per kilogramme.
“In our assessment, a price of Rp 70,000 at present, approaching Eid, is quite normal. However, we will continue to monitor across the other 35 districts and cities,” he said.
During Ramadhan 2026, several commodities most sought by the public in cheap markets include rice, chillies, eggs, sugar, and cooking oil.
The prices of these commodities are known to be highly volatile and frequently increase approaching the Eid occasion, so the regional government is working to maintain supply availability.
“These commodities are most frequently sought. That’s why we always bring and provide them. Especially chillies, those are most popular,” noted Totok.
He stated that the regional government has mapped projections of food requirements through to Eid this year.
“All food commodities according to projections through the end of March remain in surplus,” he said.
He noted that several main commodities are even in conditions of substantial surplus, such as rice at approximately 1.5 million tonnes, eggs at approximately 135,000 tonnes, refined sugar at approximately 54,000 tonnes, and cooking oil at approximately 5,000 litres.
“God willing, even if there are disruptions, we will still be able to meet food requirements both for the Central Java area itself and for returning migrants who will come to Central Java,” he added.