Stock Shortage Pushes Bontok Chilli Prices to Rp 100,000 per Kilogram in Gianyar
Bontok chilli prices at Gianyar People’s Market in Bali have climbed to Rp 100,000 per kilogram. The sharp increase in the price of this Balinese specialty chilli has been driven by severe stock shortages and floods that have triggered widespread harvest failures.
“Initially, one kilogram cost Rp 70,000. At most, it was Rp 80,000. Now it is Rp 100,000 per kilogram,” said Jero Sari, a groceries trader at Gianyar People’s Market block G, when interviewed by detikBali on Monday, 9 March 2026.
Jero Sari reported that the Bontok chilli price increase began in early February 2026. To date, only Bontok chilli remains highly priced, whilst red chilli, bird’s eye chilli, and green chilli have not experienced price rises.
Jero Sari acknowledged that her revenue has declined due to the expensive Bontok chilli prices. Before prices surged, the trader was able to sell at least 10 kilograms daily. Now, with prices reaching Rp 100,000 per kilogram, she is able to sell only half that amount.
“Usually I sell out 10 kilograms. Now I can only sell about 5 kilograms,” said Jero Sari.
According to her, stock shortages of Bontok chilli have also contributed to the price increases. The flooding disaster in Bali has forced her to source Bontok chilli from Kintamani District, Bangli Regency.
Komang Wintari echoed similar concerns. The Gianyar People’s Market trader in block B also sells Bontok chilli at Rp 100,000 per kilogram.
“It is a stock problem. Stock is limited and weather conditions are also involved. Harvests have failed,” said Wintari.
Wintari noted that staple goods price increases are not limited to Bontok chilli. Cooking oil, sugar, and cabbage have also experienced price rises.
Minyak Kita brand cooking oil per carton of 12 kilograms is now priced at Rp 210,000, up from the original price of Rp 195,000. Meanwhile, sugar and cabbage prices have doubled.
Anak Agung Gde Raka Suryadiputra, Head of the Gianyar Regency Industry and Trade Office, stated that the price increases are already a market mechanism. There is nothing that can be done to prevent the price increases of basic food commodities.
“This is already a market mechanism. We cannot simply lower prices, because this is a market mechanism,” said Suryadiputra.
Suryadiputra noted that some basic commodities already have maximum retail prices (HET). He claimed that no basic commodities in Gianyar have exceeded the HET.
“Staple goods such as rice and others cannot possibly exceed the HET,” said Suryadiputra.
Nevertheless, he stated that the Gianyar Regency Government is attempting to maintain price stability by providing alternative options for the community. One such measure includes organising low-cost markets at Pejeng Village Office on Tuesday (10 March) and Semebaung Market two days later.
“We organise low-cost market programmes on every major (religious) occasion. Tomorrow there will be a low-cost market at Pejeng Village Office. In two days’ time, there will be a low-cost market at Semebaung Market,” he concluded.