Indonesia mobilizes chili supplies to stabilize rising market prices

The Indonesian National Food Agency (Bapanas) and the Ministry of Agriculture are implementing a Food Distribution Facilitation (FDP) program to stabilize the rising prices of bird's eye chili. This initiative aims to mobilize stocks from surplus regions to deficit areas to mitigate price volatility and maintain national supply.

According to Bapanas Deputy I Gusti Ketut Astawa, the government is collaborating with ‘Champion Chili’ farmers to ensure affordable supplies reach high-price regions. This intervention follows reports of significant price fluctuations, such as those observed in Kediri, East Java.

Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) indicates that bird's eye chili prices were a primary driver for the increase in the Food Price Index (IPH) in early September 2026. The price index for the commodity rose by 27.54 percent, affecting 260 regencies and cities. In several areas, prices have significantly exceeded the upper limit of the Reference Selling Price (HAP), with North Halmahera recording prices 171 percent above the threshold.