Plastic Prices Surge, MSME Profits Drop by up to 25 Percent

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The surge in plastic prices over the past month has pressured the profits of micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) actors. The profit decline is recorded at between 16 and 25 percent.

A rice trader at Lenteng Agung Market in South Jakarta, Timan, claims to have faced the increase since 10 days before Eid al-Fitr.

“Wow, the increase is extraordinary,” Timan complained when met at his stall on Friday (10/4/2026).

The price of plastic, which was previously Rp65,000 per bundle, has now surged to Rp135,000. The increase reaches around 100 percent.

The cost pressure is not followed by a rise in the selling price of rice. The price remains based on the Highest Retail Price.

“Well, we end up reducing profits and adding capital,” said Timan.

The price of rice sacks has also risen. Sacks of 10 kilograms and 20 kilograms have increased by Rp1,000 per unit.

Timan calculates the profit decline at around 16.6 percent. The margin is eroded to cover the plastic cost increase.

“The profit that should be per sack, say Rp30,000, is reduced by Rp5,000 for the additional cost of that plastic,” he said.

“Just multiply it,” he added.

The price of medium-sized plastic has risen from Rp8,000 to Rp12,000 per pack. The price of mica has also increased from Rp18,000 to Rp25,000.

Sata chose to keep the selling price at Rp10,000 per packet. He is worried that buyers will decrease if the price is raised.

“The problem is, if we raise it, people protest, they don’t buy, it doesn’t happen (they buy),” Sata said.