Dilemma of Chilli Sellers: Prices Remain High, Risk of Spoilage

Workers unload red bird’s eye chillies at Kramat Jati Market, Jakarta, on Thursday (26/3/2026). The National Strategic Food Price Information Centre (PIHPS), managed by Bank Indonesia, records that the price of the food commodity red bird’s eye chillies has broken through Rp104,050/kg. Based on data from PIHPS reported in Jakarta at 06:00 WIB, red bird’s eye chillies are recorded at national retail trader level prices for other foods, namely shallots at Rp44,900/kg. Furthermore, PIHPS notes that large red chillies reach Rp53,000/kg, curly red chillies Rp54,900/kg, and green bird’s eye chillies Rp48,050/kg. Chilli prices are widely complained about by several market traders, resulting in chillies piling up and rotting. According to one trader, “Chilli prices are expensive; if stored too long, the bottom parts will rot, only large traders dare to buy because it’s for restaurants,” she stated while speaking with CNBC Indonesia.