Chili Prices Rise, Zulhas: To Help Farmers

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan assessed that the increase in the price of red cayenne pepper to touch Rp. 100,000 per kilogram (kg) in several areas as a phenomenon occurs occasionally. He considered this to help farmers.

"It's okay to be expensive at all," said Zulkifli quoting Antara, Monday, November 6.

Zulkifli assessed that it would not be a problem if the selling price of cayenne pepper on the market increased several times a year. This is to help farmers not to lose too much so that it is possible to sell their land or agricultural land to survive.

"In a year, several times they go up 'nothing' because if they are very cheap they will sell the land," said the Trade Minister.

Zulkifli gave an example of the price of other agricultural commodities such as shallots, which some time ago had fallen freely up to Rp. 16 thousand per kilogram, making it difficult for some farmers to pay debts at banks, and even being forced to sell land.

"Yesterday the onions were up to Rp. 16 thousand. It's a pity that the farmers have sold their land, the bank debt cannot be paid," he said.

Based on observations on the official website of the National Food Agency, the national average price for red chili pepper commodities increased significantly in the past week, from Rp66,920 per kg to Rp70,480 per kg on Monday (6/11).

Even in mid-October 2023, the price of cayenne pepper in a number of areas, one of which was in North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province, had experienced a sharp increase of up to IDR 100,000 per kilogram.