Rice Paddy Prices Rise, Rice Traders in Klungkung Cut Transport Service Costs

The impact of rising unmilled rice prices is being felt by local rice traders in Klungkung, Bali. Not only does it affect rice selling prices, but it is also prompting traders to cut costs on rice transport services.

“Unmilled rice prices have already risen. So rice prices are also up. The impact is quite noticeable. So we can’t afford to pay people to transport anymore,” said I Made Sudi, one of the rice traders in Klungkung, on Monday (20/4/2026).

The unmilled rice price increase reaches Rp100 per kilogram (kg). From the previous Rp7,100 per kilo, it is now Rp7,200 per kilo.

“For 25 kilos now it’s Rp336,000, previously Rp330,500,” he added.

To cope with the price rise, Sudi has ended up transporting his rice sales to customers himself. Some of them are cooperatives.

He explained that he would face great difficulties with transport service costs if prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, increasing profit margins is also felt to be not easy. Especially with the abundance of premium branded rice circulating which sells far better in the market.

The rice from Takmung Village-Klungkung that is sold is said to depend on unmilled rice prices and adjusts to premium branded rice prices.

“Usually premium rice rises first. If we follow the price, it doesn’t sell. So we adjust,” Sudi explained.

Separately, the Secretary of the Cooperative, MSME and Trade Office of Klungkung, Tjok Istri Agung Wiradnyani, stated that there has been no rice price increase in the Klungkung market.

“Based on our monitoring of basic commodity prices as of today, cooking oil has indeed experienced an increase. For rice, there has been no price rise yet,” Wiradnyani clarified.