Politics · Indonesia · 1 hr ago
Central Java launches low-cost food sales to curb price rises
Central Java’s provincial government and Bank Indonesia held a low-cost food sale in Semarang on October 12.
It was aimed at traders, caterers, farmers and residents in Semarang district and city.
The effort came as prices of essentials including red chilies and rice had risen, with chilies reported at 80,000 to 90,000 rupiah per kilogram.
A food vendor said he paid 45,000 rupiah per kilogram for chilies at the event, compared with 65,000 rupiah at the market on his previous purchase.
The province also distributed support such as rice, water-piping equipment and owl houses for farming groups.
Officials said the measures were intended to keep food affordable and prepare for drought linked to El Niño.
No further steps or timeline were specified.
Central Java’s provincial government and the local office of Bank Indonesia held low-cost food sales to help stabilize food prices and control inflation.
The event took place on Monday, 12 October, at the Central Java Agriculture and Livestock Office.
It targeted traders, caterers, farmers and residents in Semarang Regency and Semarang City.
Officials said the move responded in part to rising prices for staple goods, including red chili and rice, and aimed to keep food affordable.
The program also included support for farmers, including rice, water-piping equipment and owl houses.
- Who
- The Central Java provincial government and the local office of Bank Indonesia organized the event.
- What
- They held low-cost food sales and distributed assistance to help stabilize food prices and control inflation.
- When
- Monday, 12 October; the article was published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The Central Java Agriculture and Livestock Office, serving people in Semarang Regency and Semarang City.
- Why
- To keep staple food affordable and curb inflation amid rising prices, including for red chili and rice.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Central Java held the low-cost food sales event at the provincial Agriculture and Livestock Office.
Central Java’s rice production was estimated at 8.4 million tonnes of dry milled grain, equivalent to 4.9 million tonnes of rice.
- Red chili price
- Rp80,000–Rp90,000, according to the governor
- Joko’s chili purchase
- Rp45,000 at the event, compared with Rp65,000 at the market
- Rice price at the event
- From Rp11,000
- Estimated rice production
- 8.4 million tonnes of dry milled grain in January–October 2026
- Estimated chili production
- About 404,910 tonnes
- Estimated shallot production
- 408,760 tonnes
What people are saying
This collaborative effort is being used as a role model, so Central Java remains a province with controlled inflation.
I just bought 3 kg of chili. The last time I bought it at the market it cost Rp65,000; here I got it for Rp45,000.
Rising staple food prices greatly affect our catering business. If we raise prices, customers will not accept it because they could leave.
Sources
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