Red chilli and chicken meat prices drive increase in Food Price Index during Ramadan
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Statistics Bureau (BPS) reported increases in the Food Price Index (IPH) across various provinces, primarily driven by sharp rises in red chilli and chicken meat prices during Ramadan in the fourth week of February 2026.
BPS Head Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti stated that numerous districts and cities recorded significant IPH increases, with relatively uniform triggering commodities, particularly staple foods in high demand during Ramadan.
“The main factors behind IPH increases across various provinces are rising prices of red chillies and chicken meat,” Amalia said during a Regional Inflation Control Meeting monitored online in Jakarta on Tuesday.
On Sumatra Island, Bangka Regency recorded the highest IPH change, driven by increased prices of beef, red chillies, and chicken meat. Meanwhile, in Java, Trenggalek Regency recorded IPH increases of up to 7.5 percent, caused by sharp rises in red chilli, chicken meat, and large chilli prices.
In regions outside Sumatra and Java, the highest IPH increase occurred in East Lombok Regency, with red chillies, large chillies, and beef as the main drivers.
Amalia explained that the price increase pattern reflects seasonal characteristics ahead of Ramadan, when demand for staple foods such as red chillies, large chillies, chicken meat, chicken eggs, beef, rice, and shallots tends to rise.
The national average price of red chillies by the fourth week of February 2026 was recorded at Rp70,000 per kilogramme. The national average price of chicken meat was Rp41,000 per kilogramme.
The BPS also noted that rice prices remained relatively stable nationally. However, 114 districts and cities still recorded IPH increases for rice, warranting attention.
Red chilli prices nationally have exceeded the consumer Reference Sales Price (HAP), averaging Rp70,000 per kilogramme. Two hundred and twenty-one districts and cities recorded IPH increases for red chillies.
The highest red chilli price reached Rp200,000 per kilogramme, whilst the lowest was Rp26,111 per kilogramme. The highest prices were found in several areas in Papua, namely Nduga, Mappi, and Intan Jaya Regencies.
The highest IPH increase for red chillies occurred in Situbondo Regency, with the current price at Rp79,991 per kilogramme and an IPH increase of 125.9 percent, approximately 40 percent above the HAP. Pasuruan Regency also attracted attention, with red chilli IPH increases reaching 115 percent and current prices at Rp78,792 per kilogramme.
The BPS emphasised that areas with prices above the HAP and high IPH increases require further attention to maintain food price stability during the Ramadan period.