Rising Plastic Prices Erode Income of Denpasar SMEs

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Denpasar are impacted by the rise in plastic prices. The surge in packaging costs is considered quite drastic and affects the income decline of traders.

One of them is Desy Hermayanti, a seller of dim sum and corn cobs with cheese in Denpasar. She claims that the prices of various types of plastic packaging have experienced a significant increase.

“It’s quite a substantial rise, not just a thousand or two thousand,” said the 32-year-old woman on Monday (6/4/2026).

She detailed the price increases for several types of packaging. The price of styrofoam, previously around Rp45,000, has now risen to Rp50,000 per pack. Clip plastic, which was Rp14,000, is now Rp20,000. Meanwhile, several other types of plastic have also increased, from Rp4,000 to Rp5,500, and from Rp2,000 to Rp4,000 depending on the size.

This increase has forced Desy to be more frugal in using plastic. She now asks customers if they want to use plastic bags or not.

“That’s how it is; sometimes I ask if they want to use a plastic bag? The sauce is separated, after all. So I offer whether to separate it or just put it together, to save more,” she explained.

Although plastic is one of the main components in her business, Desy chooses not to raise selling prices. She is concerned that customers will decrease further amid the current economic conditions.

However, this situation directly impacts her income. She admits that her turnover, which appears large, is often used up to cover business capital costs.

A similar situation is also felt by Imel, a stall keeper selling shaken avocado in Denpasar. She says the plastic price increase started to be felt after Eid.

According to her, the price of thinwall, previously around Rp5,000, has now risen to Rp8,000 to Rp9,000 per pack. Plastic spoons, which were Rp8,000-Rp10,000, now reach Rp17,000. Meanwhile, plastic cups have risen from Rp15,000 to Rp19,000.

Besides plastic, she also feels the increase in staple goods prices.

“Like fruit also up, mango, everything is up now, staple ingredients are all expensive. Like rice, corn, soybeans, those staple ingredients are all up,” explained the 17-year-old woman.

This situation has caused her income to drop drastically. She estimates the profit decline to be around 60 percent.

“Yes, it’s really felt (the decline). As for the profit reduction, for now, it’s maybe down 60 percent,” she said.

Nevertheless, Imel has not planned to raise her product selling prices. She says her business can still run, but she will consider a price increase if capital costs continue to rise.

“It depends. If the prices increase more, like the ingredients or whatever increases more and the income is even less, insyaallah it will be raised,” she concluded.