Minyakita Price Hits Rp22,000 in Tasikmalaya, Consumers Switch to Bulk Oil
The price of the people’s packaged cooking oil, Minyakita, in several traditional markets in the East Priangan region, including Tasikmalaya City, West Java, has experienced a significant increase in recent days. Currently, Minyakita is being sold for Rp22,000 per litre, far exceeding the highest retail price set by the government.
This substantial price hike has forced many consumers to switch to bulk cooking oil, which is priced lower at Rp20,000 per kilogram.
Lilis, a 44-year-old resident of Panglayungan, Cipedes District, expressed the difficulty consumers face in finding Minyakita at a normal price. Although the Ciamis State Logistics Agency distributes Minyakita at Rp15,700 per litre, the supply is very limited and only available at a small number of kiosks.
“I have looked for Minyakita at several traditional market kiosks and the prices vary. Some sell it for Rp15,700 from Bulog, but other traders sell it for Rp22,000 per litre. Because the cheap one is hard to find, consumers end up buying bulk cooking oil for Rp20,000 per kg,” Lilis said on Sunday.
A similar situation is occurring at Pancasila Market. Iis Linawati, a kiosk trader, explained that the price difference arises because the majority of traders obtain their supply from non-Bulog distributors, where the base price is already high. Bulog only distributes packaged oil in limited quantities to selected traders.
“Many buyers choose bulk oil over Minyakita because, aside from the high price, the packaging is sometimes less than one litre. Every day, more people buy bulk oil, averaging 1 to 3 kg,” Iis said.
The Head of the Cikurubuk Main Market Unit, Deri Herlisana, confirmed the distribution imbalance. He stated that not all kiosks in Cikurubuk Market receive the affordable Minyakita supply from Bulog.
“Kiosks that receive from Bulog sell it for Rp15,700 per litre, but the quantity is small. Meanwhile, other kiosks that source from different distributors sell it for up to Rp22,000 per litre. Seeing this condition, many buyers end up looking for bulk oil,” Deri explained.
The government has agreed to raise the highest retail price for Minyakita cooking oil. The price of packaged cooking oil, which was previously in the range of Rp17,000 to Rp18,000 per kilogram in April 2026, has now surged to Rp21,000–Rp22,000 per kilogram.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso explained that the increase in cooking oil prices was triggered by a surge in CPO prices and distribution costs. Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated that distribution and transportation constraints are causing the high price of Minyakita in Papua and Maluku. He noted that based on monitoring through the Market and Basic Needs Monitoring System application, the price of Minyakita on the islands of Java and Sumatra is in line with the highest retail price.