Weather Starts to Heat Up, Staple Goods Traders Reveal Impact on Chilli Prices

Entering the fourth day after Eid al-Fitr, activities in traditional markets are starting to resume, though not yet fully normal. Several vegetable traders at Pasar Rumput in South Jakarta have returned to selling, although many other stalls remain closed.

Based on observations by CNBC Indonesia at the site, the price of red bird’s eye chillies has begun to decrease compared to during the Eid period. However, the price remains relatively high at the trader level.

Vegetable trader Hedi stated that the price of red bird’s eye chillies today is at Rp90,000 per kg.

“A kilo today is Rp90,000, down from Rp110,000 yesterday (per kg). It just dropped today. A few days before Eid, it was Rp130,000 (per kg), then dropped to Rp110,000 during Eid, and now down again to Rp90,000 (per kg). Hopefully, the price will drop further to return to normal,” said Hedi when met at the location on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

He assessed that the price drop is influenced by changing weather and improving supply conditions, although distribution is not yet fully smooth.

“Yes, there was rain recently, but now it’s starting to get hot all the time, so it’s starting to drop; it’s just the delivery. This is still the homecoming season (and return flow), so deliveries might still be delayed. After this Eid period, the chillies should gradually decrease,” he said.

For curly red chillies, Hedi said the price tends to be stable.

“(Curly red chillies) today Rp50,000 (per kg), it’s been normal like that since before Eid, no rise or fall,” he said.

Shallot Prices Rise

Meanwhile, the price of shallots is currently at Rp45,000 per kg.

“Shallots today Rp45,000 per kg, it’s been like that for about a week. Previously it was Rp50,000 (per kg), at the beginning of the month it was Rp55,000 (per kg),” he explained.

As for garlic, it remains at the same price range.

“Garlic is normal at Rp40,000 (per kg) for bulb type, Rp45,000 (per kg) for kating,” said Hedi.

He said that garlic prices tend to be stable because the supply comes from imports. Nevertheless, he did not deny that garlic prices have gradually increased year by year.

“Yes, garlic prices probably won’t drop. But they won’t rise drastically either, at most like this, rising little by little, but compared to previous years, it’s suddenly much higher. Because it’s imported,” he said.

Another trader, Gusti, conveyed a similar situation. He said the price of red bird’s eye chillies he sells today is slightly higher than other traders, but still shows a downward trend.

“Rp95,000 per kilo today. Still expensive but better, not over Rp100,000 anymore. Maybe the farmers are harvesting now,” said Gusti.

For curly red chillies, he sells at the same price as Hedi, namely Rp50,000 per kg.

Meanwhile, the prices of shallots and garlic at his stall are also at Rp45,000 per kg.

“Rp45,000 (per kg) for both (shallots and garlic). I sell all kating for garlic,” he said.

Although starting to drop, traders assess that the price of red bird’s eye chillies has not yet returned to normal levels and has the potential to continue declining, in line with the normalisation of supplies after the Eid period.