The Ministry of Trade recorded the price of red cayenne pepper rose 22.48 percent from Rp74,067 per Kilogram (Kg) to Rp96,247 per Kg during the period 11 February-12 March 2021. Prices soared due to crop failure in a number of production centers.

"Most of the increase was chili, rising double digits, especially red cayenne pepper compared to last month's price," said Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi in a virtual press conference, Monday (15/3).

Recorded, a number of areas in East Java suffered crop damage up to 40 percent of them Tuban, Kediri, and Blitar. In fact, crop failure in Wajo, South Sulawesi reached 70 percent.

Lutfi said the crop failure occurred in the midst of high rainfall. As a result, the production of red cayenne pepper dropped. In fact, market demand is high.

In addition to red cayenne pepper, price increases are also experienced by premium rice, bulk cooking oil, simple packaged cooking oil, imported soybeans, wheat flour, hamstring beef, purebred chicken meat, and curly red chili.

Based on data from the Strategic Food Price Information Center (PIHPS) as of March 15, 2021, the average price of red cayenne pepper in traditional markets rose 2.58 percent to Rp97,550 per Kg.

The highest price of red cayenne pepper is recorded in East Lombok Regency, NTB, Rp150 thousand per Kg. Meanwhile, the lowest price of Rp32,500 per Kg is recorded in Medan, North Sumatra.

The price increase also occurred in the average price of red cayenne pepper in the modern market by 5.12 percent to Rp115.9 thousand. Meanwhile, the price increase at the large trader level by 1.08 percent to Rp83,850 per Kg.