Ahead of the Peak of the Lebaran Homecoming, the DKI Provincial Government Claims Safe Food Stocks Even Though the Price of Chili and Chicken Rises

Illustration of the price of chili at a traditional market (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Food, Maritime, and Agriculture Directorate (KPKP) has ensured the availability of food ahead of the National Religious Holiday (HBKN) Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah in a safe condition. The DKI Provincial Government assessed that food stocks during March 2026 were still sufficient to meet the needs of residents ahead of Eid.

Head of the DKI Jakarta KPKP Office, Hasudungan Sidabalok, said that there were a number of commodities that experienced the highest spike in demand ahead of Eid al-Fitr. Even though demand increased, stocks were still considered sufficient.

"The increase in food prices by less than five percent ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr HBKN is still within the limits of reasonable fluctuations and tends to be stable compared to high spikes," Hasudungan said in a statement, Tuesday, March 17.

The five commodities that recorded the highest increase in demand were chicken eggs, chicken meat, red onions, cooking oil, and sweet peas.

These commodities are generally food ingredients that are widely sought after by the community ahead of Eid.

Hasudungan detailed that the demand for chicken eggs increased by 17.20 percent from 9,010 tons to 10,560 tons. Meanwhile, the prognosis for its availability reached 11,616 tons.

For chicken meat, the demand increased by 10.77 percent from 10,904 tons to 12,078 tons. On the supply side, its availability is projected to reach 26,965 tons.

In the midst of this increase in demand, the DKI Provincial Government also noted an increase in the prices of a number of food commodities at the retail level in the second week of March 2026.

Red chili is the commodity with the highest increase. The price rose 3.83 percent or Rp3,962 per kilogram to Rp107,391 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the price of chicken cutlets rose 1.24 percent to Rp44,680 per kilogram. This increase occurred when food demand began to increase ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

According to Hasudungan, the price increase is influenced by two main factors, namely an increase in demand ahead of Eid and weather conditions in producer areas. High rainfall is said to affect the quality and production of a number of food commodities.

"The increase in food prices by less than five percent ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr HBKN is still within the normal fluctuation range and tends to be stable compared to high spikes," he said.