Prices of Essential Goods at Pasar Baru Bekasi Rise as Shoppers Cut Back on Purchases

BEKASI — Prices of a range of staple goods have risen at Pasar Baru Bekasi, in East Bekasi District, Bekasi City, prompting some residents to cut back on their shopping. Weni (48), a restaurant operator in Bekasi, says she now has to reduce portions sold because the cost of raw materials has continued to creep up over several months. “Now everything is rising, chilli, onions, and cooking oil are also expensive. Those who previously sold 100 portions are now at most 70 portions. So the shopping quantity is reduced,” Weni told Kompas.com at Pasar Baru Bekasi on Friday, 22 May 2026. Many customers now prefer bringing their own food rather than buying meals outside. “Sales have indeed been very slow for months,” she said. Weni noted that before staple prices surged, she could spend daily shopping in the millions of rupiah. However, now the capital can only buy a few staples. And the drop in turnover she is experiencing forces her to adjust her business needs. “Shopping used to cost millions a day and you could get a lot. Now with Rp 1 million you can only get a few items, not complete,” she said. She said she still chooses to shop at traditional markets because she already has regular traders and can adjust the quality of goods to her business needs. “In the market you can still pick and choose, and I already have a regular supplier as well,” she added. In addition to the fluctuating prices of essential goods, she said shopping at the market also requires extra costs and more time. “Going to the market means you have to spend on petrol, and prices can vary. So I have to move around to find the cheapest,” Laela said. She added that the rise in prices of chilli, onions, and cooking oil has forced her to cut back on household purchases.