Despite Secure Stock, Trade Minister Admits Slight Rise in Minyakita Prices Due to Plastic Price Surge

Jakarta – Trade Minister Budi Santoso has emphasised that, although there is a slight price increase for Minyakita due to the rise in plastic prices, there is no shortage of stock in the market.

“Yes, there is (a price) slight increase. Because, of course, it’s the impact on them (Minyakita) as all their packaging is plastic. But there is no such thing as a shortage,” said Budi in Jakarta on Thursday, 16 April 2026.

Previously reported, the price of Minyakita in several regions as of April 2026 was observed to be in the range of Rp 15,800-Rp 15,900 per litre, or slightly above the Highest Retail Price (HET) set by the government at Rp 15,700 per litre.

This increase is caused by challenges in the production costs of plastic packaging and distribution, which is one of the impacts of the Iran-US-Israel war.

Budi assessed that the current issue is the emergence of the perception that a price increase or reduced stock of Minyakita automatically means a general shortage of cooking oil. Minyakita is even considered the sole indicator of the ups and downs of cooking oil prices, both for premium types and bulk.

“I went to modern retail yesterday, cooking oil is plentiful. So there is no such thing as cooking oil being scarce. Because people don’t look at the cooking oil itself, what they look at is Minyakita,” said the Trade Minister.

“It seems that if Minyakita is expensive, people say cooking oil is expensive. If Minyakita is not available, (they say) it’s scarce, even though, of course, there is plenty. There is second-brand oil. We ask producers to make second-brand oil. Then there is also premium oil,” he added.

Budi also assured that the Ministry of Trade will continue to conduct direct monitoring in traditional markets and modern retail to ensure that the distribution of cooking oil runs normally and the needs of the community remain fulfilled.

In addition, he mentioned that the proposal to increase the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) quota for Minyakita to 65% is still possible, as some producers have often contributed more than 35%.

Based on the provisions of Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) Number 43 of 2025, the minimum obligation for Minyakita distribution by state-owned food companies is currently 35%. This means that increasing the quota above that figure is still possible.

“I just called the President Director of Bulog, called the President Director of RNI. So in the Permendag, it’s a minimum of 35%. Minimum, those who want 65%, 70%, that’s no problem,” he said. (Ant).