Food Price Increases Driven by Rising Demand Ahead of Eid al-Adha

Jakarta — Chico Hakim, Special Staff to Jakarta’s Governor and Vice Governor for Public Communications, attributed food price increases in the capital to rising demand ahead of Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijriah.

“As the major Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha approaches, public demand rises both for daily consumption and holiday preparations,” Chico explained in Jakarta on Sunday.

The primary causes of price increases stem from a combination of weather factors and surging demand. High rainfall has reduced production and compromised the quality of horticultural harvests, particularly chillies, shallots, and garlic.

Additionally, Chico noted that increased attacks by crop pests (Organisme Pengganggu Tanaman or OPT) have contributed to supply shortages. “This directly impacts food supplies into Jakarta,” he said.

To address these challenges, the Jakarta provincial government, through its Food Security, Marine and Agricultural Agency (KPKP), has implemented several concrete measures.

These include routine and intensive monitoring of strategic food prices in traditional markets through both direct inspections and the Jakarta Food Price Information application (IPJ).

The government has also undertaken market interventions when necessary, including distribution of subsidised food and affordable markets for lower-income residents.

“Specifically for sacrificial animals, the provincial government guarantees stock availability through advance preparations by Dharma Jaya (targeting thousands of cattle) to keep prices stable and prevent excessive spikes,” Chico said.

Earlier, Hasudungan A. Sidabalok, Head of the KPKP Agency, reported that based on monitoring during the second week of May 2026, several horticultural commodities experienced price increases compared to the previous week.

Red bird’s eye chilli recorded the highest increase at 12.12 per cent or Rp 8,689 per kilogramme, rising from Rp 71,664 to Rp 80,354 per kilogramme.

Furthermore, curly red chilli increased 5.61 per cent or Rp 2,926 per kilogramme, from Rp 52,117 to Rp 55,103 per kilogramme.

Shallot prices also rose 3.96 per cent or Rp 2,082 per kilogramme, from Rp 52,615 to Rp 54,697 per kilogramme.

Meanwhile, red chilli TW increased 3.84 per cent or Rp 2,306 per kilogramme, from Rp 60,069 to Rp 62,375 per kilogramme. Green bird’s eye chilli experienced a 3.05 per cent increase or Rp 1,773 per kilogramme, rising from Rp 58,166 to Rp 59,939 per kilogramme.