Pramono Prepares Strategy to Tackle Rising Chilli Prices in Jakarta
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has said that curly chilli prices in Jakarta have risen due to declining supply. He stated that the quantity of chillies arriving from other regions has fallen as a result of heavy rainfall.
“There has indeed been a rise in curly chilli prices because supply from Java and South Sulawesi has decreased in quantity due to rain,” Pramono said at Jakarta City Hall on Thursday (19/2/2026).
He said the high rainfall has affected both chilli production and distribution to Jakarta. He expressed confidence that chilli supply could return to normal within the next two weeks.
“I am confident that within one to two weeks, chilli prices in Jakarta can return to normal,” he said.
Pramono has also prepared measures to control chilli prices at markets. He said the DKI Jakarta provincial government would purchase chillies directly and sell them to retailers so that consumer prices remain under control.
“We will buy chillies and then sell them to retailers or traders, providing a margin of Rp 5,000 so that prices are controlled. If we do this, I am confident we can control inflation in Jakarta,” he said.
The Head of the DKI Jakarta Food Security, Marine Affairs and Agriculture Agency (KPKP), Hasudungan Sidabalok, said that red cayenne pepper prices have been recorded above the Reference Selling Price (HAP). He noted that red cayenne pepper prices at the regional level in South Sulawesi stand at Rp 45,000 per kilogram, whilst in Java prices range from approximately Rp 60,000 to Rp 80,000 per kilogram.
The average consumer-level price for red cayenne pepper, particularly at the Kramat Jati wholesale market, stands at Rp 75,000 to Rp 90,000 per kilogram. Hasudungan said the high price of red cayenne pepper has been triggered by several factors.
First, high rainfall affecting production. Second, the tradition among some farmers of taking time off ahead of the month of Ramadan. Third, increased demand in the run-up to the holiday period.
He said the National Food Agency would implement a Food Distribution Facilitation (FDP) programme by purchasing chillies from farmers and distributing them through traders at the Kramat Jati wholesale market at a maximum retail price of Rp 5,000 per kilogram above the purchase price. Additionally, chilli supply from South Sulawesi would be increased by 2–3 tonnes per day.
“We continue to monitor the situation to ensure interventions are effective and consumer-level prices remain under control,” he said.