As the rupiah continues to weaken, the rippling effects of the depreciating currency continue to be felt in traditional markets throughout the country, perhaps most painfully in the skyrocketing price of chilis.
In the satellite city of Bogor, for example, some chilis are now priced at an eye-watering Rp 60k-65k per kilogram.
The soaring costs of cabe are allegedly due to the decreasing supply of chili peppers due to crop failures during the dry season.
In Bogor’s Pasar Kebon Kembang, red chili peppers are being sold for Rp 65k per kilogram, a price that has lasted for about a week.
“Two weeks ago, the price was normal. At the moment, prices are rising,” said Sumardi, a chili vendor at the Pasar, on Monday as quoted by Tribunnews.
Sumardi said the usual price of red chili at the market was Rp 40k per kilo, meaning it’s experienced a 62.5% price increase in just two weeks.
“I was not sure about selling them. Because of the high price, the number of buyers has also gone down. Even if there is a buyer, usually from a restaurant, they did not buy so much,” he said.
Knowing how much Indonesians love their chili, these prices present a serious problem for restaurants that rely on smothering their dishes in sambal to please their customers’ palates. Hopefully the government will do something to help stabilize chili prices or we’re going to be in for some bland sambal-less food for a while
