National Food Agency Clarifies that Food Price Index Rise Does Not Reflect Food Price Surge
The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has emphasised that increases in the Food Price Development Index (IPH) do not automatically reflect surges in food prices beyond government reference thresholds. The government states that prices of strategic commodities remain under surveillance to stay within the Reference Price Range (HAP) and Maximum Retail Price (HET) established by authorities.
Nita Yulianis, Director of Food Vigilance at Bapanas, stated that the government continuously monitors price movements across various regions through market and food distribution surveillance. This measure is implemented to maintain price stability of essential commodities.
“Price monitoring ahead of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr is conducted to ensure compliance with HAP and HET provisions. The government has also established the 2026 Price, Quality, and Food Safety Violation Task Force, which involves various ministries and agencies,” said Nita on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
The Price, Quality, and Food Safety Violation Task Force for 2026 was established through National Food Agency Head Decision Number 4 of 2026. The team is tasked with monitoring price movements whilst ensuring food quality and safety in markets.
Surveillance covers strategic commodities including rice, maize, soy beans, beef, buffalo meat, broiler chicken, chicken eggs, shallots, garlic, red bird’s eye chilli, red curly chilli, large red chilli, cooking oil, and consumption sugar.
Yulianis stated that the government is also preparing market interventions to maintain price stability. These efforts are undertaken through distribution of Food Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) rice, implementation of the Cheap Food Movement, and facilitation of food distribution.
“Market intervention continues to be strengthened through SPHP rice distribution, implementation of the Cheap Food Movement, and facilitation of food distribution to ensure availability and affordability of prices,” said Nita.
Bapanas, together with the Ministry of Trade, has also conducted direct surveillance at several markets, including Summerland Market in Batam, Riau Islands. This visit aimed to ensure food supply availability and maintain affordable prices for the community.
Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri stated that surveillance results showed several commodity prices remained relatively stable.
“Surveillance results show prices tend to be stable, with some even sold below HET and HAP such as garlic, shallots, and Minyakita,” said Roro.
Based on field inspections, red bird’s eye chilli prices were recorded at IDR 80,000 per kilogramme, red curly chilli at IDR 40,000 per kilogramme, shallots at IDR 32,000 per kilogramme, and garlic at IDR 28,000 per kilogramme. Minyakita was sold at IDR 31,000 per two litres.
SPHP programme rice was recorded at IDR 62,000 per five kilogrammes, whilst broiler chicken eggs at IDR 57,000 per tray or approximately IDR 30,600 per kilogramme.