Indonesia’s Chili Prices Rise Across Hundreds of Regions as Dry Weather Tightens Supply
Chili prices rose across most monitored Indonesian districts and cities in the third week of September 2026. Bird’s eye chili averaged Rp77,596 per kilogram nationally, while prices in some regions reached Rp120,000-Rp199,000.
Price increases spread nationwide
Chili price inflation has extended across hundreds of Indonesian districts and cities, creating a widening gap between market prices and government reference levels. Data from Statistics Indonesia, or BPS, showed that bird’s eye chili prices increased in 265 districts and cities, equivalent to 73.61% of the areas monitored, during the third week of September 2026.
According to Pantau, the number of affected areas has risen steadily since the fourth week of August. By the third week of September, bird’s eye chili prices were 29.85% higher, while the national average had reached Rp77,596 per kilogram. That was Rp20,596 above the government’s reference selling price, known as HAP, of Rp57,000 per kilogram.
The pressure was substantially greater in several eastern and northern markets. BPS recorded bird’s eye chili prices of Rp120,000-Rp199,000 per kilogram in North Halmahera, East Bolaang Mongondow, Bone Bolango, North Bolaang Mongondow, East Halmahera and North Gorontalo. These levels were more than double the HAP at the lower end of the reported range and almost three and a half times the benchmark at the upper end.
Dry conditions amplify regional shortages
In West Halmahera, Tribun Ternate reported that drought had pushed curly chili and locally named cabai nona to Rp110,000-Rp120,000 per kilogram at Jailolo Market. The regional spike indicates that dry weather is restricting available supply in markets that can already face high costs when produce must be moved over long distances or between islands.
Conditions were less extreme in Sleman, although bird’s eye chili was still above the official benchmark. During a visit to Potrojayan Market on September 21, Trade Minister Budi Santoso found the commodity selling for Rp70,000 per kilogram, compared with the Rp57,000 HAP. Large chili was priced at Rp50,000 per kilogram, TIMES Indonesia reported.
The Sleman survey showed that the increase was concentrated rather than affecting all food categories. Shallots were selling for Rp32,000-Rp35,000 per kilogram, below their Rp39,000 reference price. Eggs cost about Rp26,000 per kilogram and chicken meat Rp38,000, while rice supplied through the government’s Food Supply and Price Stabilization program and other staples remained broadly stable.
Red chili also exceeds its benchmark
Upward pressure was not limited to bird’s eye chili. BPS said red chili prices increased in 248 districts and cities, or 68.89% of monitored areas, after the number of affected locations grew for four consecutive weeks. The commodity rose 15.83%, taking its national average to Rp56,231 per kilogram, above the HAP of Rp55,000.
Some markets recorded red chili prices more than 50% and, in certain cases, more than 100% above the upper HAP limit. High-price areas included Tomohon, Minahasa, Bitung, Talaud Islands, Southeast Minahasa, North and East Halmahera, Sangihe Islands, North Bolaang Mongondow, South Halmahera and the Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands.
The figures present policymakers with competing pressures. Santoso said prices must remain affordable for consumers while still covering the production costs faced by farmers and livestock producers. For growers and traders, the geographic spread of the increases signals a broad supply problem rather than an isolated market disruption. Restoring supply to deficit areas, particularly remote island markets, will be central to bringing prices closer to the benchmarks without pushing farm-gate returns below sustainable levels.
