Cipinang Rice Market Slumps: Labourers Idle as Sales Drop Up to 70%

Trading activity at the Cipinang Rice Wholesale Market (PIBC) in East Jakarta has slumped significantly in recent days, despite steady supply from producing regions. Dedy, chairman of the PIBC traders’ cooperative, confirmed the market is unusually quiet, with many porters left idle and some even sleeping among rice sacks due to the lack of work. He noted that the slowdown is likely driven by weakened consumer purchasing power and the financial pressures of the new school year. While supply remains normal, the weak demand has pushed market prices down, even though the price of unhusked rice (gabah) at the farm level remains high. Some traders report sales drops of 30% to 70% in recent months. Supplier Zulkifli stated that deliveries are arriving but selling at a loss because market prices have fallen below cost, citing the IR 42 variety which is now offered below Rp15,000 per kg despite a cost of Rp16,000 per kg. Porters, who rely on daily wages for loading and unloading, also complained about the lack of work, saying the current quiet period is a stark contrast to the usual bustling activity.