Trade Minister Confirms Steady Prices for Key Staple Foods

RRI.CO.ID, Purwokerto - Prices of several staple foods at Manis Market in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, have remained relatively stable.

Although the government remains cautious about rising beef and rice prices, Trade Minister Budi Santoso said commodities such as chilies, onions, chicken eggs, and chicken meat are still at manageable levels.

“The government will continue to maintain the availability of staple food supplies and stabilize prices,” Minister Budi said after monitoring price developments at Manis Market in Purwokerto on Thursday, June 25, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that cayenne pepper currently sells for IDR 40,000–50,000 per kilogram, below the government-set Highest Retail Price (HET) of IDR 57,000. Prices of shallots and garlic also show a positive trend. Meanwhile, chicken eggs are priced at around IDR 25,000 per kilogram, and chicken meat at about IDR 36,000.

According to him, prices close to the HET indicate a healthy market, balancing the interests of producers and consumers. “Prices that are too low hurt farmers, while prices that are too high burden consumers. We seek a compromise between producers and buyers,” he said.

The government is still closely monitoring rising beef prices in several regions. The Trade Ministry is investigating whether supply or distribution issues are driving the increase.

“Prices that rise or fall must be addressed. If they fall, absorption must be increased. If they rise, we must identify the cause — distribution or supply. That’s what we continue to monitor,” Minister Budi said.

To stabilize livestock product prices, the government has coordinated with hotels, restaurants, cafés, and modern retailers to increase absorption of eggs and chicken meat, which remain low. This step is expected to help farmers maintain stable prices.

The government also monitors staple food prices through the Market and Basic Needs Monitoring System (SP2KP), with around 550 contributors across 514 regencies and cities reporting prices daily.

“We check market price developments every day, and the data is entered into our system. We can monitor them from Jakarta, but we also want to go directly to the regions,” he said.

In addition to monitoring, the Trade Ministry conducts direct supervision in traditional markets to ensure traders comply with price regulations and do not sell above the HET.

During the same visit, the Minister distributed food aid consisting of rice and Minyakita cooking oil under the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program.

Triyani, one of the recipients, said the aid was helpful amid rising prices for several staples, especially rice. “I’m very happy because the price of the cheapest rice has now risen above IDR 12,500 per kilogram,” she said.

Findings at Manis Market indicate that most staple food prices remain stable, with chilies, onions, eggs, and chicken holding steady. However, the government continues to monitor beef and rice prices to safeguard public purchasing power. ***