Semarang City Government Targets 240 Market Operations Ahead of Eid al-Fitr
The Semarang City Government aims to implement 240 market operations by the end of Ramadan, as Mayor Agustina Wilujeng instructed to strengthen market interventions to maintain the stability of staple prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH. The simultaneous Cheap Food Movement (GPM) activities were centred at the West Semarang Sub-district Office and the cheap staple market ‘Pak Rahman’ in Mijen Sub-district on Friday, 6 March 2026. The city government is coordinating with the City Food Task Force to optimise the mobile Pak Rahman market and the Pasar Pangan Rakyat Murah dan Aman, along with the ‘Kempling Semar’ programme, which are primary instruments to ensure affordable food reaches communities directly across the city.
Following coordination with the Food Task Force, the target was set to 240 market operation points by end of Ramadan, with fleets moving daily to three to four locations to bring staple supplies directly to residents at the grassroots level,” Agustina said.
“During the GPM roll-out, data showed substantial movement of goods. In Semarang Barat district, 1.5 tonnes of SPHP rice, 3 tonnes of medium-grade rice, 300 kilograms of garlic, and hundreds of kilograms of other commodities such as granulated sugar, cooking oil, and table eggs were distributed with the support of 23 strategic partners. In Mijen district, similar supplies were distributed with a more complete stock of protein products.”
“The Kempling Semar team works with high precision. In Mijen stock is more complete due to strong demand for meat and chicken, whereas in Semarang Barat focus is more on basic necessities. It is rare for them to bring back unsold goods because almost everything is absorbed,” she said.
“Market interventions implemented consistently are already beginning to show an impact on prices of several commodities, particularly horticultural produce in traditional markets. The price of chilies, which had previously spiked to Rp95,000– Rp100,000 per kilogram, has been brought down to around Rp75,000 per kilogram through strategies to trim direct distribution channels from producers.”
“Agustina hopes these efforts will continue to stabilise staple food prices. She noted that price volatility affecting inflation in Semarang occurs throughout the year, not only ahead of Eid, so market surveillance and intervention must continue. ‘We hope that staple foods stay affordable. The Food Task Force never stops moving because we want people to feel reassured that the government is safeguarding the availability of goods in the market,’ she added.”
“She also stressed that success in lowering inflation to 2.1 percent at the end of last year motivates the city government to keep protecting residents’ purchasing power. With a healthy food ecosystem, residents are expected to celebrate Eid al-Fitr comfortably without the burden of rising staple prices. ‘The future welfare of residents is partly determined by food affordability. Our duty is to ensure broad access to food and prices remain affordable for all Semarang residents,’ concluded Agustina.