Food prices have been rising in a cyclical pattern. Previously, rice prices increased, followed by chicken and then chicken eggs. Now, chili prices are rising, both for bird's eye chilies and red chilies.
The National Center for Strategic Food Price Information (PIHPS) recorded that the average price of red bird's eye chilies in West Papua on July 19 reached Rp 92,500/kg, a 48% increase from Rp 62,500 at the end of June. This is the highest price compared to other provinces. In Sorong City, the average price of red bird's eye chilies even reached Rp 100,000/kg and once reached its highest level of Rp 120,000/kg, while in Manokwari Regency, the price of chilies reached Rp 85,000/kg.
Not only in eastern Indonesia, chili prices in Jakarta have also increased. On July 19, the average chili price in the capital city rose 33% to Rp 72,500/kg from Rp 54,500/kg at the end of June. Similarly, in Central Kalimantan, the average price of red chilies increased by 25.53% to Rp 73,750/kg from Rp 58,750/kg previously.
(Read Databoks: Where are the most expensive bird's eye chilies?)