Food Prices in Depok Surge, Red Bird's Eye Chilli Exceeds Rp120,000/Kg
Entering the second week of Ramadan 2026, prices for several essential commodities in traditional markets across Depok city, West Java, remained significantly elevated. Marked increases occurred in chilli peppers and vegetables, prompting traders’ concerns that prices would continue rising through Eid celebrations.
Traders attributed the annual Ramadan price increases to minimal government intervention in stabilising market prices at the retail level. “The government should ensure prices remain relatively stable and prepare anticipatory measures to control price fluctuations, so that prices don’t spike dramatically like this,” said Safrudin, 36, a representative of Cisalak Market traders, when met on Friday (27 February).
The most notable price increases were observed in regular red chillies, red bird’s eye chillies, and cabbage. According to trader data, regular red chilli prices rose from Rp40,000–50,000 per kilogramme pre-Ramadan to Rp80,000–90,000 per kilogramme during the holy month, whilst red bird’s eye chilli prices jumped from Rp60,000–70,000 per kilogramme to Rp120,000 per kilogramme.
“We are concerned this increase will continue throughout Ramadan and even through Eid if the government does not intervene,” Safrudin continued.
Similarly, Sony, 32, a trader at Pal Tugu Market, noted that the price increase trend had actually begun before Ramadan, though the rate of increase had accelerated significantly. “Chilli and cabbage prices had risen before fasting season, but not with such sharp jumps. It’s possible that all basic commodities, including rice and cooking oil, will experience price increases as well,” he added.
According to him, the phenomenon was driven by high consumer demand not matched by adequate stock availability in the market. “However, high demand for basic commodities is not accompanied by supply readiness,” he explained.
Budi Haryanto, Head of the Cisalak Market Technical Implementation Unit (UPT), confirmed that the price increase trend was occurring uniformly across five traditional markets in Depok city: Cisalak, Pal Tugu, Depok Lama, Kalibaru, and Citayam markets.
Whilst prices remained elevated currently, Budi predicted price fluctuations would occur approaching Eid. “On Eid day, based on experience, prices typically drop. However, several days later, basic commodity prices will rise again, because many people have returned from homecoming visits and resumed their activities,” he concluded.