He asked chili businesses not to arbitrarily raise chili prices, especially above the highest retail price (HET).
“We will take steps to lower (chili prices). We urge all businesspeople not to set food prices above the HET,” Sulaiman said at the Presidential Palace complex here on Monday.
He added that there is no reason for businesses to increase prices above the HET since the stocks of several staple commodities, such as rice and cooking oil, are relatively sufficient.
“There is no reason for businesses to hike prices. We have agreed on this. We have held a meeting with the coordinating minister (for food) and the police chief to ensure that actions will be taken if prices exceed the HET,” Sulaiman informed.
On Monday, President Prabowo Subianto summoned several ministers, including the coordinating minister, for a limited meeting to discuss the prices of several food commodities during the Ramadan month and ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
The National Strategic Food Price Information Center (PIHPSN) has reported that the prices of various types of chili in the market—including large red chili, curly red chili, green cayenne chili, and red cayenne chili—have risen as of March 3, 2025.
The average rates of red cayenne chili in traditional markets have climbed above Rp100 thousand per kg, green cayenne chili to Rp69,150 per kg, curly red chili Rp68,350 per kg, and large red chili Rp65,550 per kg.
On a separate occasion, Trade Minister Budi Santoso said that the price of red cayenne chili has risen 23.23 percent to Rp 81,700 per kg month-on-month.
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Translator: Genta, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
