Rising chilli prices in Indonesia impact restaurants and farmers

Summary

In Tangarang, Indonesia, chili peppers take center stage in local cuisine, with the restaurant using over 100 kg daily for sambal, a spicy condiment. However, recent climate disruptions, including heavy rain and pests, have caused chili prices to skyrocket. The cost of essential ingredients like chili, rice, and vegetables has increased, shocking farmers and consumers. While the national food agency is working to assist farmers, food vendors like Ilang Sangra Prasti have reduced chili portions to manage costs without losing customers. Chili remains a staple in Indonesian dishes, even for breakfast.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chili is an essential part of Indonesian cuisine and is used extensively, with over 100 kg consumed daily in some restaurants.
• 😀 Prices of basic ingredients like chili, rice, vegetables, and eggs have risen sharply in Indonesia recently.
• 😀 The price of red chili peppers has surged from $3 per kg to $8 per kg, causing concern among shoppers and vendors.
• 😀 Climate change, including heavy rain and insect attacks, has negatively affected chili harvests in Indonesia.
• 😀 Farmers are struggling with plant maintenance due to increased pests, requiring regular spraying to prevent crop loss.
• 😀 The Indonesian government is working with chili farmers to provide assistance, including training and improved irrigation practices.
• 😀 Food vendors like Ilang Sangra Prasti are adjusting their chili usage to cope with higher costs while maintaining customer satisfaction.
• 😀 Some food vendors are reducing chili portions from two spoons to one and a half to balance costs and spiciness in their dishes.
• 😀 Indonesian cuisine varies by region, but chili is universally important, even in breakfast dishes in Central Java.
• 😀 The rising cost of chili and other staples has forced many businesses to adjust, impacting both their pricing strategies and menu offerings.
• 😀 Despite the price increase, chili remains an irreplaceable part of Indonesian daily life, with people unwilling to reduce the spiciness of their meals.

Q & A

Why is chili an essential ingredient in Indonesian cuisine?

Chili is considered essential in Indonesian cuisine because it is a key component of many dishes and a vital part of people's diets, even for breakfast. It is so important that meals without chili often feel incomplete to Indonesians.

How much chili does the restaurant in Tangerang use daily?

The restaurant in Tangerang uses over 100 kg of chili each day, most of which is used for making sambal, a spicy condiment found across Indonesia.

What is sambal?

Sambal is a spicy condiment that is commonly used in Indonesian cuisine. It is made primarily from chili peppers and is a popular accompaniment to many dishes.

What recent changes have affected chili prices in Indonesia?

Chili prices in Indonesia have skyrocketed in recent weeks, with the price of a 1 kg bag of chili increasing from around $3 to $8. This price hike has shocked shoppers at local markets.

What are some factors contributing to the rising chili prices?

Several factors are contributing to the rising chili prices, including disruptions in chili harvests caused by heavy rain, insect attacks, and climate change, which has led to an increase in pests worldwide.

How are chili farmers in Indonesia responding to the challenges they face?

Chili farmers are facing difficulties in maintaining their crops due to adverse weather conditions and pests. They are trying to combat these issues by regularly spraying pesticides and taking steps to protect their plants from disease.

What actions is Indonesia's national food agency taking to assist chili farmers?

The national food agency has met with chili farmers and local authorities to help them manage the challenges they face. They are providing assistance with irrigation, disease control, and field training to improve the management of chili farms.

How are food vendors like Ilang Sangra Prasti adapting to the high chili prices?

Food vendors like Ilang Sangra Prasti are adjusting by managing their chili use more carefully. They have reduced the amount of chili paste served per dish, giving customers one to two spoons of chili paste instead of the usual two, to manage costs while still satisfying customer demand.

What is AET, the popular dish sold by Ilang Sangra Prasti?

AET is a popular dish made by crushing chicken into small pieces, mixing it with green chilies, and then smearing it onto another piece of fried chicken. It is known for its spiciness.

How have weather conditions affected chili farming in Indonesia?

Heavy rain and insect attacks have disrupted chili harvests in Indonesia. Farmers have found it difficult to maintain their crops, with some plants rotting or dying due to the unfavorable conditions.