TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The price of chili in the market around Palmerah Police Sector has increased since last month. One trader named Ahmad Safii (28) said the price of red chili in Medan is currently in the range of Rp45,000 to Rp50,000 per kilogram. In a stable condition, the price is only Rp20,000 to Rp25,000 per kilogram.
"Perhaps the stock from there (Jakarta Central Market) is also a little or maybe it has not harvest yet. The price cannot be determined too," Ahmad said to Tempo, Tuesday, March 20.
According to Ahmad, the increasing price occurred since last month. The price of cayenne pepper also reaches Rp70,000. In fact, said Ahmad, there is no scarcity of chili.
Read also: Padang Sees Decrease in Red Chili Prices
Ahmad estimates, the increasing price of chili is the impact of harvest time. During the harvest season, the sale of chili is worth Rp20,000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, the sales before the harvest time doubled to Rp40,000 per kilogram.
The fantastic price of Rp100,000 per kilogram could be achieved if the crop failure occurred. As a result, the product is broken and the quantity of the peppers is small. "If the crop failure occurred, all damaged," said Ahmad.
Another trader, Suratmi (54), said the same thing. The price of chili is in an unstable condition, there has been an increase since last month. For example, now the red chili is Rp70,000 per kilogram and the curly red chili is Rp50,000.
While the normal price, which is Rp20,000 per kilogram for the red chili and Rp15,000 to Rp20,000 for the curly chili.
Suratmi also thinks that the price increase due to the rainy season that resulted in the crop failure. "Currently, the quality of the chili is bad, it is already withered in three days," said Suratmi.
LANI DIANA WIJAYA
