Egg and Chilli Prices Surge Sharply as Demand Spikes Ahead of Eid al-Fitr
As Eid al-Fitr approaches, various prices for staple goods in traditional markets across Indonesian cities have begun to rise noticeably. Two commodities have experienced the most significant price spikes: chicken eggs and raw chillies, which have recorded marked increases over the past week.
In Pasar Terong in Makassar, chicken egg prices have now reached IDR 58,000 per tray, up from their previous level of between IDR 53,000 and IDR 55,000 per tray.
Haidir, an egg vendor at the market, disclosed that the price increase has been felt since early Ramadan.
“At the start of Ramadan I was still selling at IDR 53,000 to IDR 55,000 per tray. Now it has surged to IDR 58,000,” he said on Monday (9 March). Despite the price rise, Haidir confirmed that egg supplies from Sidrap remain consistent. Instead, demand has risen sharply.
“On an ordinary day I sell only around 70 trays per day. During Ramadan now it can reach 100 trays per day, and it is likely to continue rising towards Lebaran,” he added.
A sharper price increase has occurred in raw chillies. The commodity is now being sold at IDR 60,000 per kilogramme, a significant jump compared to the start of Ramadan when prices ranged between IDR 35,000 and IDR 40,000 per kilogramme. Prices for large red chillies and curly chillies have remained stable at IDR 15,000 and IDR 20,000 per kilogramme respectively.
In contrast to eggs and chillies, chicken prices have shown a downward trend. Faisal, a poultry vendor at Pasar Terong, noted that the price of two-kilogramme chickens has now dropped to IDR 60,000 per bird. This is down from the start of Ramadan when prices had surged to IDR 68,000.
“Prices are returning to normal. However, it is uncertain what may happen towards Lebaran; prices could rise again. For now, stocks are secure and prices are under control,” he explained.
Hasiholan Pasaribu, Acting Head of the Regional Office VI of the Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition (KPPU) in Makassar, revealed that his office, together with Bank Indonesia, Bulog, and related agencies, has conducted surprise inspections to ensure there is no price manipulation at the distributor level.
“Some commodities have indeed risen in price, such as chicken, eggs, and chillies. However, the increases remain relatively small, between IDR 5,000 and IDR 10,000. This is more influenced by weather conditions and high demand during Ramadan,” he explained.
He also noted that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) has also contributed to increased demand, but not to the point of disrupting supply stocks.
“We will take firm action if there are individuals who deliberately withhold supplies or obstruct distribution. The penalty could be a minimum fine of IDR 1 billion,” Hasiholan stressed. Meanwhile, Karmila Hasmin Marunta, Vice Regional Head of Perum Bulog’s South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi Regional Office, assured that rice stocks in her region remain very secure. Currently, Bulog holds rice reserves of 526,000 tonnes.
“Prices for medium and premium grade rice remain stable. We are also monitoring the price of subsidised cooking oil (Minyakita), which still complies with the official maximum retail price and supplies are flowing smoothly,” she concluded.
Amid these various price fluctuations, the public has been urged to shop wisely and not panic, as the government continues efforts to maintain price stability in the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr.