Rising Plastic Prices Squeeze Street Vendors

Conflicts in the Middle East region have caused plastic prices to skyrocket. This situation is making street vendors (PKL) who use plastic as one of their trading components cry out in distress.

This is the case experienced by ice vendors at the Morning Market in Cirebon City. The rise in plastic prices has eroded their profits. This is because the increase in plastic prices is not accompanied by an increase in the selling price of their goods.

“Customers are protesting, they don’t want the price of iced drinks to rise,” said an ice vendor named Aeni on Saturday (4/4/2026).

She said that since the price of plastic cups experienced an increase, she once raised the selling price of her iced drinks to Rp6,000 per cup, or an increase of Rp1,000. However, because of protests from customers, she was forced to return to the old price, namely Rp5,000 per cup.

“Well, what can be done. Especially since business is also slow,” she added.

Aeni revealed that the selling price of goods that did not rise ultimately eroded her profits. This is because the capital she has to spend is getting larger.

Meanwhile, an iced drink buyer named Husen admitted to being shocked that the price of the ice he usually buys suddenly increased. He objected and refused the higher price.

“Well, as buyers, we only know the price of ice is Rp5,000 per cup. If the price rises, of course we object,” he said.