Post-Eid Essential Goods Prices Vary, Government Intervenes via Cheap Markets

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) stated that prices of essential goods remain varied after Idulfitri, with some experiencing increases and others decreases, leading the government to intervene through cheap markets in several cities to stabilise prices. “Because prices haven’t fully dropped yet, the government is holding what are known as cheap markets. This afternoon (at Monas), Bulog will hold a cheap market with nearly 100,000 packages, including rice, oil, and others. The same is happening in other regions,” he said while inspecting essential goods prices at Pasar Minggu, Jakarta, on Saturday. Zulhas assured that the government is continuously monitoring essential goods prices daily, not only in Jakarta but also in other regions. During the inspection at Pasar Minggu, Jakarta, he noted that egg prices are relatively stable and chicken meat has risen slightly. Curly red chillies have actually decreased in price, while small red chillies have increased. Nevertheless, stocks of essential goods are generally under control, though the situation is not yet fully normal post-Idul Fitri. Zulhas estimated that only about 60-70 percent of traders have opened their stalls, while the rest are still waiting to resume selling. On the same occasion, Trade Minister (Mendag) Budi Santoso also assured that supplies of essential goods are generally sufficient. The government is also continuously monitoring distribution to ensure stable stocks across all markets. Regarding the price increase of small red chillies since the start of Ramadan, he attributed it to weather conditions hindering harvests. Meanwhile, curly red chilli prices remain normal as they are sold below the highest retail price (HET). He explained that some essential goods prices have not fully dropped because not all traders have resumed selling and some distributors have not yet recovered. To address this, Budi assured that the government is continuously communicating with farmers’ associations and distributors to ensure supplies return to normal in markets. “But we keep communicating. So we’ll communicate again with our friends, especially suppliers, particularly on how to get things back to normal entering the markets,” said Budi. Based on the Market and Essential Goods Monitoring System (SP2KP) as of Friday (27/3), various essential goods prices nationally showed varied changes compared to the start of Ramadan on 18 February 2026. Commodities with the highest price increases include bulk palm cooking oil from Rp17,944 to Rp19,036, or up 6.09 percent. Then, beef hindquarter (5.90 percent), broiler chicken meat (up 5.77 percent), and small red chillies (up 4.64 percent). Commodities experiencing price decreases include curly red chillies (down 35.41 percent), large red chillies (down 27.06 percent), and shallots (down 9.87 percent).