Red Cayenne Pepper Prices Rise Again, Reaching IDR 120,000 Per Kilogram

Red cayenne pepper at the Senen market/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - The price of red cayenne pepper at Pasar Senen Block VI has skyrocketed, reaching a price of IDR 120,000 per kilogram.

"Until today, it has not changed. Devil's or red cayenne is still the highest selling price here. Yesterday's price was IDR 95 thousand and now it has increased to IDR 120 thousand per kilo", said Ihsan (25), a red chili trader to reporters on Monday, December 27.

The drastic increase in chili prices also occurred in the types of red, green, and curly chilies, which rose by around IDR 20 thousand per kilogram.

"The price of ordinary red chili also went up, yesterday it only increased to IDR 40 thousand, now it is IDR 60 thousand. For green chilies, from IDR 50 thousand now it is the same as red chili, so IDR 60 thousand. If the curly red chili is now the price is IDR 45 thousand", he said.

"Yes, if the price of chili goes up, automatically the price of other spices, such as onions - white and tomatoes, also goes up. Yesterday I sold onion - white for IDR 22 thousand per kilo, but now it is IDR 30 thousand per kilo. For tomatoes, the increase is not much, but it's still burdensome for me and the buyer. From the current price of IDR 10 thousand, it becomes IDR 13 thousand per kilo", he said.

According to Ihsan, the price of chili, onion, or tomato usually increases as the new year approaches.

"It goes up because of the rainy season because harvest failures often occur, automatically supply is also scarce if that's the case. Yes, in the end, because it is scarce, the collectors use it to increase the price", he said.

Meanwhile, Roni (45), a basic food trader at Pasar Senen Block VI, said that the price of bulk cooking oil had also increased.

"Yes, it went up, previously for the bulk it was only IDR 13 thousand per kilo, now it has increased to IDR 20 thousand per kilo. Actually, it has been going up for quite a while, but to this day, thank God, there is still no increase like the price of chili", he said.

The increase in the price of cooking oil, continued Roni, was felt by the fried food traders.

"Yes, a lot of people complain, especially the fry cook. Every day he uses cooking oil for selling", he said.