Plastic Prices Rise, Bekasi Traders Opt for Thin Margins to Stay Competitive

Traders in several Bekasi markets are racking their brains due to the rising price of plastic. Zainuddin (47), a plastic trader at Pasar SBS, has chosen to cut his profits to maintain buyer loyalty.

Zainuddin said he often hesitates to raise prices drastically for his customers. While other shops have set high prices, he opts for thin margins.

“I don’t take much profit. Like yesterday, others sold for Rp 10,000, I still sold for Rp 9,500. I hold the price first so people keep buying, keep coming,” Zainuddin explained when met at Pasar SBS on Friday (27/3/2026).

Zainuddin employs this strategy for a reason. He aims for quick cash turnover so his capital keeps circulating.

“The important thing is it’s busy, goods sell fast, cash turnover is quick. So I never raise prices immediately unless the increase is really severe,” he said.

However, Zainuddin admits this strategy is becoming harder to sustain. According to him, price hikes from distributors occur almost daily in short intervals.

“It rises every day. Ask the price at night, by morning it’s changed again. We’re the ones confused, bewildered every time we want to stock up, given a new price list,” Zainuddin complained.

Here is the breakdown of plastic prices at Pasar SBS that have risen:

Kresek plastic: Up from Rp 10,000 to Rp 15,000 per pack

Kiloan plastic: Up from Rp 9,000 to Rp 15,000 per pack

Thinwall (food containers): Up from Rp 23,000 to Rp 28,000.

This increase is also affecting people’s purchasing power. Zainuddin said many customers are shocked by the price surge.

“I just say, if you want it, the price is this, if not, that’s fine. Wherever you go, the price is the same because the main distributor has set it that way,” he added.

UMKM players who use plastic for packaging their goods are also impacted by the price rise. One of them is Yono (45), a bakso trader in the Pasar Baru area, Bekasi.

“Yes, it’s affected, all plastics have gone up. Kresek that was previously Rp 6,000 is now Rp 9,000. Kiloan plastic that was usually Rp 6,000 is now Rp 11,000. Basically, the increase is around Rp 4,000,” he said.

Even though plastic prices have risen quite drastically, Yono claims he is still maintaining his bakso prices.

“I can’t raise (the price of goods) because, well, we’ve agreed on that portion for that price. So the business keeps running,” he stated.