Farmers' Production Plummets Due to Weather and Pests, Causing Sharp Surge in Chilli Prices

In Cirebon City, prices of various types of chillies in traditional markets have experienced a sharp increase. This follows a decline in chilli production at the farmer level due to pest attacks and extreme weather.

At the Jagasatru Main Market in Cirebon City, the price of red bird’s eye chillies has once again skyrocketed to Rp 85,000 per kilogram. Previously, the price of this commodity had dropped to Rp 70,000 per kilogram.

Not only red bird’s eye chillies, but red chillies have also risen by Rp 5,000 to Rp 40,000 per kilogram. Similarly, green bird’s eye chillies are now Rp 50,000 per kilogram.

“The prices have been rising since five days ago,” said a trader at the local market, Arya.

The rising chilli prices at the main market are expected to be even higher in other traditional markets or at retail trader levels. This is because market traders and retailers buy the chillies they sell from the main market.

He explained that the increase in prices of various chilli commodities is caused by reduced supply from farmers. Therefore, he predicts that chilli prices will continue to rise.

“Chilli stock is decreasing; goods are hard to come by,” he said.

He added that the skyrocketing chilli prices have caused turnover for traders like himself to decline. This is because consumers are reducing their chilli purchases upon learning of the price increases.

Separately, a chilli farmer from Majalengka Regency, Teguh, said that chilli harvest yields have indeed declined in recent times. This is due to extreme weather and pest attacks.

“The weather is extreme right now, so there are supply constraints. It’s not scarce; there is some. But pest and disease attacks are high,” he said.