TULUNGAGUNG – Bird’s eye chili prices have surged to Rp95,000 per kilogram at Ngemplak Market in Tulungagung as Ramadan enters its midpoint, reflecting growing pressure on kitchen spice supplies.

Traders at the largest traditional market in the region report fluctuating prices for several cooking ingredients. Among them, bird’s eye chili shows the most dramatic increase, while shallot prices continue to move up and down depending on supply.

Shallot prices currently range from Rp32,000 to Rp42,000 per kilogram. The price varies depending on product size, quality, and the trader’s available stock.

Hartatik, a vendor at Ngemplak Market, sells shallots at Rp42,000 per kilogram. She said distributors have raised their prices, forcing traders to adjust retail prices.

“Shallot prices are unstable right now. My suppliers already sell them at higher prices, so I have to follow,” Hartatik said. “Some buyers are surprised, but they still purchase them because they need them for cooking, even if they buy less.”

Some traders keep prices lower to retain regular customers. Parmi, another vendor, still sells shallots at Rp32,000 per kilogram because she continues to clear older stock.

“These are leftovers from yesterday’s shipment, so I’m selling them first,” Parmi said. “If new supplies arrive, the price will probably increase.”

Muti, another trader, uses a similar approach to maintain sales.

“Cheaper prices make the products sell faster,” she explained. “We adjust to the stock we have so we can keep our capital rotating for tomorrow’s purchases.”

While shallot prices fluctuate, bird’s eye chili prices have risen sharply.

At a stall owned by trader Jepon, red bird’s eye chili reached Rp95,000 per kilogram on Sunday (March 8). The figure exceeds the official data from East Java’s Food Commodity Availability and Price Information System (Siskaperbapo), which recorded the average price in Tulungagung at Rp87,750 on the same day.

Jepon said limited supply has pushed prices higher.

“I only received a small shipment from South Blitar yesterday, and traders competed to get the stock,” he said. “The purchase price was already high, so I had to sell it at Rp95,000 to avoid losses.”

Traders rely heavily on supplies from other regions, especially South Blitar. Local chili production in Tulungagung still cannot meet market demand.

Rising prices have also changed consumer behavior. Many buyers now purchase smaller amounts of bird’s eye chili or switch to other alternatives.

“Bird’s eye chili is really expensive right now,” Muti said. “Many customers buy just a little for the spicy taste and then use green chili, which sells for around Rp60,000 per kilogram.”

Another trader, Saroh, still sells bird’s eye chili at Rp80,000 per kilogram because she purchased the stock earlier. However, she expects the price to increase once she restocks.

“If I buy new stock, the price will definitely follow the market,” she said.

Meanwhile, dried chili has started to attract more buyers. Parmi said demand has increased in recent days because the product is cheaper and lasts longer.

“Dried chili sells for Rp8,000 per 100 grams and stores well,” she said. “Many customers, especially small food stall owners, now prefer it.”

Several other staple commodities remain relatively stable at Ngemplak Market. Premium rice sells for Rp74,000 per 5-kilogram package, cooking oil costs Rp21,000 per liter, and sugar ranges between Rp14,000 and Rp16,500 per kilogram.

Garlic prices range between Rp28,000 and Rp36,000 per kilogram, while herbal spice kencur reaches Rp56,000 per kilogram.