Galiran Market Traders in Klungkung Complain About Rising Plastic Prices
The impact of surging plastic prices is being felt by traders at Galiran Market in Klungkung, Bali. Retail traders who use plastic bags to wrap their goods admit they are already suffering losses.
“It’s really noticeable, the losses. Income has decreased. Previously, I bought a pack for Rp5,000 to Rp6,000, now it’s up to Rp7,000,” said one canang trader at Galiran Market in Klungkung, I Nengah Ayu (45), when met by detikBali on Monday (6/4/2026).
According to Ayu, the rise in plastic bag prices cannot be offset by increasing the prices of her goods. She fears that if prices are raised, her wares will not sell.
“If I raise them, no one will buy. So I hope it doesn’t keep rising. Even now, income has already decreased,” she continued while counting her sales money.
When asked about the possibility of not using plastic bags, Ayu furrowed her brow. She was confused about what to use to wrap her goods without plastic bags.
Another trader, Tommy Adikusuma (29), reported something similar. He said the increase in plastic bag prices has been quite noticeable in recent times.
“For one pack, it used to be at most Rp22,000 to Rp23,000, now it’s Rp30,000,” Tommy explained.
He added that the price of plastic bags, which was previously Rp800,000 per sack, has now risen to Rp1 million per sack.
However, according to him, this increase has not yet had too much impact on traders who buy in large quantities.
“Because they buy in large amounts. So it’s not yet too impactful. For retail traders, it might be very noticeable,” he clarified.
Met separately, the Secretary of the Cooperative, UMKM, and Trade Office of Klungkung, Tjok Istri Agung Wiradnyani, said her office has not yet received reports regarding traders’ complaints about the rise in plastic bag prices.
She stated that currently, her office is still prioritising field monitoring of staple goods prices.
“So we can’t provide information regarding the Head of Department’s policy on this increase. Because regarding this matter, we haven’t gone to the field either,” she said briefly.