Rising Plastic Prices Highlight Vulnerability of National Industry

The economic impact of global geopolitical conflicts is beginning to be felt domestically. One example is the soaring price of plastic in the country. Member of DPR RI Commission VII, Yoyok Riyo Sudibyo, explained that the rise in plastic prices is triggered by disruptions in the supply of raw materials such as naphtha due to conflicts in the Middle East. Indonesia, which still imports around 60 percent of plastic raw materials, is highly vulnerable to such turmoil. “Global pressures are no longer confined to the energy sector or large industries but have entered the basic production costs of small businesses,” said Yoyok in Jakarta on Monday, 13 April 2026. According to him, this situation demonstrates the high dependence of the national industry on global supply chains, particularly for petrochemical-derived commodities. Yoyok added that the subsequent impact of rising production costs is also being felt by the public, such as increases in food prices and shrinking product sizes for consumer goods. He warned that if global conflicts persist, the effects could extend to SME-based tourism sectors and local economic activities. “What is being tested is not only the resilience of large industries but whether small businesses still have room to survive under global pressures,” stated the politician from the NasDem Party faction. Commission VII of the DPR, continued Yoyok, will continue to monitor developments in the prices of production support materials and push for corrective steps so that SME actors are not the most affected parties.