Government Encourages Public to Report and Viralise Food Price Anomalies

The government, through the National Food Agency (Bapanas), has stated that it is open to reports from the public if they find anomalies in the prices of staple foods in the market. In this regard, the public can directly report or even viralise them.

The Saber Pangan Task Force will act swiftly to investigate and eradicate practices that do not comply with the Highest Retail Price (HET) or Consumer Sales Reference Price (HAP).

“So, for everyone across the country, if you find prices that do not match the HET, prices that are higher, please report them. No problem. There is a phone number, for example, Report to Mr Amran. It can be via social media too. If you want to viralise it, that’s fine,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Sudaryono in a statement quoted on Friday (20/3).

The Deputy Minister described the role of the Saber Pangan Task Force as similar to a ‘ranger’ to find problems, discover solutions, and resolve those issues. Downstream, he said, the National Food Agency ensures that from farmers to consumers, it complies with the HET set by the government.

“There are firm actions. Especially sometimes people hoard, people stockpile, whatever it is, the threat is administrative. Business permits can be revoked or if there is intentional intent and criminal elements are found, we cannot say no to not investigating it criminally. There are already several examples, whoever violates will be dealt with firmly,” he explained.

Up to 11 March, the Saber Pangan Task Force has carried out 47,217 monitoring activities. From that total, 3,878 activities checking producers and distributors, 705 warning letters, 1,494 stock coordination activities for empty stocks, 36 laboratory sample testing activities, 2 recommendations for revoking business permits, 4 recommendations for revoking distribution permits, and 6 legal enforcements.

The 6 legal enforcements carried out include 1 case of smuggling meat from abroad handled by the Riau Islands Police. Then 1 case of repackaging rice from the SPHP programme arrested by the West Nusa Tenggara Police.

Then 2 cases of noodles containing formalin or borax and expired food crushed by the West Java Police. Furthermore, the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency also handled 1 case of expired lamb meat. Finally, the Central Sulawesi Police successfully acted against sellers of Minyakita oil who sold above the HET or not according to packaging labels.

The Secretary General of Bapanas, Sarwo Edhy, assured that food affairs are not problematic for Ramadan up to Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr this year. He stated that supplies are safe and sufficient so the public can celebrate the holidays peacefully with their beloved families.

“The main point is that in general, national food supplies are in a safe and sufficient condition throughout the month of Ramadan up to Eid al-Fitr. And certainly the government continues to ensure food availability and keep prices stable,” said Sarwo.

“The public can worship peacefully without worries about essential staple needs. So in general, prices are safe, and stocks are also safe,” he concluded.

Bapanas recorded food stability from the development of volatile food price inflation or food inflation. Monthly food inflation is said to still be quite controlled.

The volatile food component in February 2026 was recorded at 2.50% (month to month) with a contribution of 0.41% to general monthly inflation and annually at 4.64%. That is still within the government’s target range of 3%-5%.

Compared to the Ramadan period in previous years, the annual food inflation of 4.64% in February this year is also recorded as more stable. Annual food inflation during Ramadan 2022 was 5.48%, increasing to 5.83% in Ramadan 2023, and once reaching 10.33% in Ramadan 2024.

Beef prices on 19 March 2026 in West Aceh, precisely in Meulaboh, rose to Rp170,000 per kilogram. Beef is used for the meugang tradition to welcome Eid al-Fitr 2026.

Beef prices in several traditional markets on 19 March 2026 in Palembang, South Sumatra, ahead of Eid reached Rp180,000 per kilogram. Previously, beef prices were Rp140,000.

Ahead of the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H, prices of several staples rose in the Gedhe Market in Klaten.

Beef prices in Sukabumi City, West Java, rose to Rp150,000 per kilogram on H-4 of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah, Tuesday (17/3).

The Central Board of the Indonesian Market Traders Association (DPP IKAPPI) projects that the peak of staple price increases will occur ahead of Eid al-Fitr this year.

The price trend of two strategic food commodities, namely red bird’s eye chillies and broiler chicken meat, shows a significant national decline in early March 2026.

Red bird’s eye chilli prices have started to ease around Rp60,000 per kg in line with improving weather and harvest peaks in production centres.

APCI predicts that after the Chinese New Year period, red bird’s eye chilli prices will move down gradually.

Director General of Livestock and Animal Health, Agung Suganda, said the raid results showed relatively stable prices and available supplies.

The mudik tradition that boosts public mobility also needs to be prepared early.