Plastic Prices Double, Plastic Bags Become More Expensive

Jakarta, VIVA – Plastic prices have experienced a significant surge in Baturaja City, Ogan Komering Ulu Regency (OKU), South Sumatra. They have even doubled due to the increasing conflict in the Middle East, which has driven global oil prices up significantly.

Reni, the owner of a plastic shop at Baturaja’s Upper Market, said that plastic prices, particularly plastic bags, have risen sharply. “The increase has been drastic over the past few weeks. Normally, a bale of plastic costs Rp38,000. Now it can reach Rp65,000 per bale,” she said on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

In addition to the high prices, she said, the availability of goods from supplier agents is currently also a problem. “There are still buyers, but the goods are often out of stock,” she stated.

Similar complaints were voiced by Yanto, a young coconut ice vendor in the Baturaja City Park area, who admitted that the price increase has affected almost all types of plastic he uses for his business.

He detailed that the price of PE (Polyethylene) plastic size 15x30 has risen from Rp15,000 to Rp23,000 per bale, while straws have increased from Rp8,000 to Rp10,000 per pack. Even packaging plastic for the Tomat brand has jumped from Rp36,000 to Rp65,000 per bale.

“That’s the price at the plastic shop; if retailed, it will definitely be even more expensive,” he emphasised.

The Head of Trade Development at the OKU Industry and Trade Office, Irfan Maradona, separately admitted that his office has not yet monitored plastic prices in the local market, including the impact of the price increase.

“We only monitor prices and stocks of staple goods at the people’s market level. Plastic prices have not yet been tracked,” said Irfan. (Ant)