Chilli Prices Remain High in Purwokerto

Entering the second week after Eid al-Fitr 2026, chilli prices in Purwokerto, Central Java, remain high. Meanwhile, prices of other essential commodities are gradually returning to normal.

Based on observations, the price of red bird’s eye chillies reached Rp120,000 to Rp130,000 per kilogram ahead of Eid al-Fitr. These prices persisted for several days after the holiday.

“The price of red bird’s eye chillies dropped to Rp80,000 per kilogram about three days ago and has stayed there until now. However, this price is still considered high,” said Ati, 50, a trader at Purwosari Market in Baturaden Subdistrict, on Tuesday (7/4).

On normal days, she said, the price of red bird’s eye chillies is always below Rp50,000 per kilogram. Therefore, any price above that is deemed high and often complained about by consumers.

Ica, 35, a food trader, admitted to being forced to replace red bird’s eye chillies with cheaper curly red chillies. However, this often draws complaints from customers, as curly red chillies are not considered spicy enough and do not meet consumer tastes.

“So it’s a dilemma: red bird’s eye chilli prices are still high, and our purchasing power has also declined somewhat,” she said.

Meanwhile, prices of other food commodities are tending to normalise. For example, chicken prices, which exceeded Rp50,000 per kilogram during Eid, have dropped to Rp35,000 per kilogram in the last three days. Rice prices, which had risen by an average of Rp2,000 per kilogram, have also returned to their original levels. (H-2)

In addition to red chillies, other commodities have also seen price drops. Among them, chicken eggs fell by Rp133 from Rp29,735 to Rp29,602 per kg, and bird’s eye chillies dropped by Rp2,484 from Rp43,834 to Rp41,350 per kg.

SPHP rice is sold for Rp58,000 per 5 kg package. Sugar is Rp15,000 per kilogram, 2 litres of Minyak Kita oil is Rp25,000, and 10 chicken eggs are Rp10,000 or Rp1,000 each.

Bird’s eye chillies are now at Rp100,000 per kilogram, up from Rp60,000 previously, or an increase of about 25 percent.

One of the most sought-after products is beef, sold at Rp100,000 per kg, which is much cheaper than market prices.

Commodities like shallots and garlic have risen by around 5 to 10 percent, and prices of red chillies and large chillies have also increased.