The price of shallots in Jakarta has surged significantly ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijri. The price increase reached nearly 50 percent, from around Rp 38,000 per kilogram to Rp 49,000 per kilogram.

"The high demand ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr,"

Jakarta Food Security, Marine, and Agriculture (KPKP) Agency head, Suharini Eliawati revealed that one of the main causes of this increase is the rising demand of shallots.

"Currently the daily demand for shallots in Jakarta is around 100 tons. The high demand ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr has contributed to the price hike in the market," she said, on Tuesday (3/18).

She mentioned that the city government through Perumda Pasar Jaya has launched Pangan Keliling program, which provides shallots at more affordable prices to maintain the price stability.

"We are selling shallots at Rp 17,000 per 500 grams through Pangan Keliling program. This aims to provide the public with access to more affordable food," she added.

The Jakarta Government also encouraging its citizens to plant their own shallots through Urban Farming program which aims to improve food security while reducing reliance on supplies from other regions.

Previously, the city government also collaborated with several shallot-producing regions to ensure smooth distribution and supply. Additionally, regular market operations have been held to curb price surges of strategic food commodities, including shallots.

"With these efforts, the Jakarta Provincial Government hopes to reduce the shallot price surge, thus residents can access this commodity at amore stable price," she stated.

For information, residents can monitor the updated prices of shallots via the Info Pangan Jakarta (IPJ) website managed by the Jakarta Provincial Government that displays food prices from around 48 traditional markets in Jakarta managed under Perumda Pasar Jaya.

Based on data collected from IPJ, the average retail price development for shallots in Jakarta is as follows:

• Monthly (January – February 2025): decreased by 9.15 percent, Rp 4,014 per kg (from Rp 43,849 per kg to Rp 39,943 per kg)

• Monthly  (February and March 2025, until the second week): increased by 32.29 percent, Rp 12,863 per kg (from Rp 39,834 per kg to Rp 52,698 per kg)

• Weekly (Week I and Week II of March 2025): increased by 16.87 percent, Rp 8,197 per kg (from Rp 48,599 per kg to Rp 56,796 per kg)

• Daily (March 16 and 17, 2025): increased by 2.87 percent, Rp 1,644 per kg (from Rp 57,200 per kg to Rp 58,844 per kg).