Grocery Sellers Start Complaining as Plastic Prices Soar, What About Food Prices?
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Prices for several staple groceries at Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta were observed to be largely normal today, Monday (13/4/2026). Meanwhile, traders admit they are starting to struggle due to the increase in plastic prices.
CNBC Indonesia’s observations found that prices for items such as shallots, eggs, and rice are quite normal, according to several traders.
However, prices for beef, chicken, and bird’s eye chillies remain relatively high.
Sarah, a shallot trader at Pasar Minggu, revealed that prices are tending towards normal, with red shallots reaching Rp50,000. Meanwhile, garlic prices reach Rp45,000, and Bombay onions Rp40,000.
“Prices for onions are normal, red shallots with skin still on Rp50,000, if the skin is off Rp55,000, garlic with skin still on Rp45,000, skin off Rp50,000, Bombay onions Rp40,000,” said Sarah when met by CNBC Indonesia on Monday (13/4/2026).
However, she complained about the high plastic prices, which are making her anxious because the cost of buying plastic has become more expensive.
“But, it’s this plastic that’s making us complain, the increase can be Rp5,000, which just adds to our headaches,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Mirna, a chilli trader, stated that chilli prices are relatively normal. However, bird’s eye chilli prices are still quite high at around Rp90,000 per kg.
“The one that’s still expensive is bird’s eye chilli, now Rp90,000 per kg. Red curly chillies Rp50,000, green chillies Rp30,000,” said Mirna.
She also complained about the high plastic prices. In fact, she is now more stingy about giving plastic to customers.
“Yes, plastic is really expensive, the increase is unstoppable, so if a buyer asks for a lot of plastic, I don’t give it, minimum two,” Mirna continued.
Meanwhile, Uli, a beef trader, stated that prices are still high and not dropping, currently reaching Rp150,000 per kg.
“Beef prices are still at Rp150,000 per kg, it’s been like this since Ramadan, not dropping, even reached Rp170,000,” said Uli.
On the other hand, as plastic prices rise, customers are also fewer.
“We’re caught in a squeeze, beef prices not dropping, but plastic prices rising even more,” she said.
Here are the prices for staple groceries at Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta today, Monday (13/4/2026):
Red shallots: Rp50,000 per kg
Garlic: Rp45,000 per kg
Bombay onions: Rp40,000 per kg
Bird’s eye chillies: Rp90,000 per kg
Red chillies: Rp50,000 per kg
Green chillies: Rp30,000 per kg
Chicken: Rp50,000 per bird
Chicken eggs: Rp30,000 per kg
Beef: Rp150,000 per kg
Medium rice: Rp13,000 per litre
Premium rice: Rp15,000 per litre.