Street Vendors from Es Doger to Bread Collectively Raise Prices Due to Expensive Plastic
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The persistently high price of plastic is compelling food vendors who typically use plastic packaging to raise their product prices, as they can no longer afford to purchase plastic packaging.
Based on observations by CNBC Indonesia in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/5/2026), several food and beverage sellers have begun increasing prices due to the rise in plastic costs.
The majority of increases amount to Rp1,000, affecting snacks such as es doger, bread, iced tea, iced coffee, and others.
Suparno, one of the es doger vendors, said the price of one glass is now Rp6,000, up from Rp5,000 previously, due to the increase in plastic prices.
“Now one glass of es doger costs Rp6,000, previously Rp5,000, yes, up Rp1,000 due to expensive plastic prices,” said Suparno when met by CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday (5/5/2026).
He explained that the price of plastic glasses, which he used to buy for Rp15,000 per pack, now reaches Rp25,000 per pack, forcing him to raise the selling price of es doger.
“Previously, I bought plastic glasses per pack for Rp15,000, now it’s Rp25,000 per pack,” he continued.
He hopes the government can curb the plastic price increase so that food and beverage prices do not follow suit.
“Yes, the hope is that plastic prices can be lowered again, because now it’s not just an increase, but a complete price change,” he clarified.
Meanwhile, Surono, a bread vendor, said the price of his bread has risen Rp1,000 to Rp6,000, from Rp5,000 previously.
“Yes, the price has gone up now. Previously one bread was Rp5,000, now Rp6,000, because plastic is expensive,” said Surono.
He admitted to raising the bread price recently, as he could no longer afford to buy plastic for wrapping his bread.
“Wow, if the price stayed at Rp5,000, I couldn’t afford the plastic anymore, plastic is so expensive now, forced to raise it by Rp1,000,” he explained.
Similarly, Dian, a vendor of sweet iced tea from Solo, said the price of one glass for the regular tea variant, previously Rp3,000, has now risen to Rp5,000 per glass.
“Yes, plastic prices are high, we have no choice but to raise the iced tea price; regular is usually Rp3,000, now Rp5,000,” said Dian.
She usually buys plastic glasses for Rp20,000 per pack, but now has to spend more, with prices up to Rp30,000 per pack. The same applies to plastic for tea wrappers.
“The price of plastic glasses is rising; previously I bought a pack for Rp20,000, now I can’t get it, have to buy for Rp30,000,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Iman, a bicycle cart coffee vendor or Starling, claimed no price increase, with the cheapest variant at Rp8,000. However, he acknowledged recent plastic price hikes.
“Yes, rumours say plastic is expensive, but coffee prices here haven’t gone up, cheapest Rp8,000, I don’t know much, because the boss knows,” said Iman.