Ahead Of Galungan Day, Chili Prices In Denpasar Bali Are Getting Spicy

Buyers choose food needs at Kreneng Market, Denpasar, Bali, Wednesday (26/7/2023) (ANTARA)

DENPASAR - The price of red cayenne pepper in a number of markets in Denpasar, Bali, reached IDR 40 thousand per kilogram, an increase of IDR 16 thousand compared to last week's IDR 24 thousand range because demand increased ahead of Galungan Day, 1-3 August 2023.

"Demands are starting a lot because Galungan is a week away," said the basic necessities trader Ketut Muliadi at Kreneng Market, Denpasar, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 26.

He added that every day it is supplied with cayenne pepper, but high demand also raises the price of the kitchen spice.

Another trader, Nyoman Sri admitted that cayenne pepper is a commodity that is prone to rot, plus increased demand, thus encouraging price increases.

"This chili does not last long, only three days the quality has decreased," he said.

Meanwhile, the price of red cayenne pepper at the Denpasar Tapian Market has also increased in the range of IDR 38 thousand to IDR 40 thousand per kilogram.

"The price has been rising since a week and four days ago, it costs Rp. 30,000 per kilogram," said the merchant, Ayu Eka.

Meanwhile, at the Batubulan Market in Gianyar Regency, Bali, the price of red cayenne pepper reached around Rp. 38,000 per kilogram.

The increase in food prices was also confirmed by the monitoring of the Main Food Price Information System and Strategic Commodities (Sigapura) managed by the Bali Provincial Government and the Bali Province Bank Indonesia Representative Office.

Sigapura Bali recorded an average price of red cayenne pepper monitored in 60 markets on the Island of the Gods, an average of Rp35,185 per kilogram, an increase of Rp8,077 (an increase of 23 percent) when compared to Wednesday (19/7) at Rp27,108 per kilogram.

Based on Sigapura data, the highest increase in the price of red cayenne pepper occurred in Klungkung Regency with an average of IDR 41,600 per kilogram.

Even if the price of red cayenne pepper is detailed at the Mentigi Market, Nusa Penida Island, Klungkung Regency has reached Rp50 thousand per kilogram, an increase of Rp10 thousand since Wednesday (19/7) reaching Rp40 thousand.

The second highest price increase occurred in Denpasar with an average increase of IDR 39,375 per kilogram, based on Sigapura Bali data.

Meanwhile, based on the food balance of the Bali Provincial Agriculture and Food Security Service in the third week of July 2023, the availability of cayenne pepper in Bali reached 358.69 tons.

There is also an average consumption of cayenne pepper of 173.72 tons, so there is still a stock surplus of 184.97 tons.