Holiday Ayo - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has acknowledged a surge in the prices of several essential commodities. Bapanas Chief Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that multiple food items are currently being sold above the Reference Purchase Price (HAP) and the Maximum Retail Price (HET).

"At the consumer level, several commodities exceeding HAP and HET include MinyaKita, red bird’s eye chili, curly red chili, and medium-grade rice," Arief said during a Public Hearing (RDPU) with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Senayan Parliament Complex on Tuesday (February 5, 2025).

According to Bapanas Regulation No. 12 of 2024 concerning Reference Purchase and Selling Prices, the HAP for red bird’s eye chili is set between IDR 40,000–57,000 per kilogram, while curly red chili ranges from IDR 37,000–55,000 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, under Trade Ministerial Regulation (Permendag) No. 18 of 2024 on Packaged Palm Cooking Oil and Governance of People's Cooking Oil, the HET for MinyaKita is set at IDR 15,700 per liter.

However, data from the Bapanas Price Panel as of Monday (February 4, 2025) shows that the price of red bird’s eye chili has surged to IDR 65,856 per kilogram, curly red chili to IDR 58,548 per kilogram, and MinyaKita is now selling at IDR 17,618 per liter.

Despite the rising prices, Arief assured that the supply of 12 key food commodities remains stable and sufficient, especially in the lead-up to Ramadan.

"Based on the food balance projections for the January–December 2025 period, updated as of January 21, the overall availability of 12 strategic food commodities is confirmed to be adequate and secure," he emphasized.

Furthermore, he highlighted that the national food reserve stock has increased compared to January and February 2024, when it stood at 15,364 tons by the end of February.

"This upward trend reflects the optimization of Bulog's role in strengthening food reserves at the beginning of the year, particularly in achieving the set targets," Arief concluded.