Rupiah Weakness Triggers Surge in Non-Subsidised Fertiliser Prices
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The National Association of Food Crop Farmers (P3NA) says that the rupiah’s weakening against the United States dollar is starting to trigger a rise in non-subsidised fertiliser prices. This situation makes agricultural production costs heavier as fertiliser needs grow to maintain the productivity of food crops.
General Chairman of P3NA, Jumantoro, said that the limitation of subsidised fertiliser quotas keeps farmers reliant on non-subsidised fertilisers. Consequently, farmers are affected when fertiliser prices rise as imported raw materials become more expensive due to the rupiah’s depreciation.
“In fact, the price difference between subsidised and non-subsidised fertilisers is many times multiplied. It is this price gap that burdens farmers,” Jumantoro said in a written statement on Monday (18 May 2026).
He explained that the needs for urea and phonska fertilisers for food crops average 400-600 kilograms per hectare. By contrast, subsidised fertiliser allocations are only around 200-300 kilograms per hectare, so the shortfall must be met with non-subsidised fertilisers.
Subsidised fertiliser prices remain at around Rp 1,800 per kilogram for urea and Rp 1,840 per kilogram for phonska. However, non-subsidised fertilisers have surged sharply. The price of Nitrea, a brand of non-subsidised urea fertiliser, reached Rp 950,000 per 50-kilogram bag or more than 10 times the price of subsidised fertilisers.
“Non-subsidised fertiliser prices could rise again if the rupiah continues to weaken against the US dollar, because some fertiliser inputs still come from imports,” Jumantoro said.
The price of non-subsidised phonska also reached Rp 625,000 per bag of 50 kilograms, about seven times more expensive than subsidised fertiliser. In several regions, non-subsidised urea prices have even breached Rp 1.2 million per 50-kilogram bag. Phonska prices are around Rp 800,000 to Rp 1 million per 50-kilogram bag.
The rupiah exchange rate on Monday (18 May 2026) was recorded at Rp 17,673 per US dollar. The currency weakness has begun to affect the prices of agricultural inputs, especially fertilisers that still use imported raw materials.
Jumantoro said farmers’ needs are not only limited to urea and phonska fertilisers. Farmers also require organic fertilisers, ZA or ammonium sulphate, and pesticides to maintain crop productivity.
“The high price of non-subsidised fertilisers is very burdensome on agricultural production costs because labour costs, land rent, fuel, and seed costs are also rising,” said a farmer from Jember Regency, East Java.
He said that if there is excess national fertiliser production, the government should prioritise additional subsidised allocations for domestic needs. This step is seen as capable of reducing the impact of rupiah weakness on production costs for farming.
Suharno, Head of the Kontak Tani Nelayan Andalan (KTNA) for Madiun Regency, said that most farmers still require non-subsidised fertilisers to improve rice crop productivity. However, fertiliser price increases are limiting farmers’ ability to purchase fertilisers.
“Most farmers still need non-subsidised fertilisers to improve rice productivity,” Suharno said.
He believes that keeping fertiliser prices affordable will help safeguard food production amid rising production costs. Farmers also hope fertiliser purchases will not be restricted so that planting season needs can be met.