The demonstrations that led to chaos in Jakarta from August 25 to August 31, 2025 did not disrupt food stocks and prices. Food supply in traditional markets and supermarkets remained under control. Only rice and curly red chili experienced price increases that had occurred before the demonstrations.

Based on SUAR 's monitoring at Pasar Induk Senen (1/9), all major food commodities, such as rice, shallots, red chili, beef, chicken eggs, cooking oil, and sugar are available. There is no scarcity.

One of the grocery traders, Rohman, said that the availability of food in his shop was complete and still manageable. The prices of several commodities are also stable. Only the price of curly red chili peppers has increased from Rp 37,000 per kilogram (kg) to Rp 40,000 per kg.

The increase in the price of curly red chili peppers had already occurred before the demonstration because farmers' production receded due to the weather.

Rohman complained about the lack of visitors after the demonstration, usually the visitors have been shopping in the morning, but since Monday (1/9/2025), only a few visitors have been shopping and can be counted on the fingers.

"The demonstration only affected the number of visitors who came. This morning there were only 5 people shopping, on a normal day there are more than 15 people," he said.

"The demonstration only affected the number of visitors who came. This morning there were only 5 people shopping, on normal days there are more than 15 people," said Rohman.

Food commodity prices at Pasar Induk Senen as of September 1, 2025: shallots Rp 45,000 per kg (normal), red chili Rp 40,000 per kg - an increase from Rp 37,000 per kg, beef Rp 135,000 per kg (normal), chicken eggs Rp 28,000 per kg (normal), cooking oil Rp 16,000 per kg (normal), sugar Rp 18,000 per kg, medium rice Rp 13,000 per kg - an increase of Rp 417 per kg.

In line with Rohman, another rice trader at Pasar Induk Senen, Wati, said the increase in rice prices had occurred before the demonstration. "Because rice productivity has decreased," she said.

Not only monitoring traditional markets, SUAR also checked the availability of food prices and stocks at Farmer Markets supermarket in Ciputra Mall on (1/9).

The availability of major food items at Farmer Markets is safely under control, especially for rice which is neatly organized. There were no rice empties in this supermarket. The crowds were busy compared to traditional markets.

One of the Farmer Markets employees, Anton, said that food supplies and prices were still under control. There is no shortage of stock and everything is complete.

"God willing, activities will continue as usual. I was told to come to work again and serve the needs of customers," he said.

Suggestions to stay open

Chairman of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo) Solihin stated that his party had sent a notification letter to all members. The letter contains a suggestion to keep the store open after the demonstration. The goal is so that people do not worry and prevent panic buying.

Panic buying occurs because people are afraid that modern retailers will no longer operate due to demonstrations, so they buy a lot of products.

Solihin said, Aprindo will continue to operate and invite people not to panic. Entrust everything to the government and hope that the demonstration will not happen again.

Aprindo will continue to operate and invites people not to panic. Entrust everything to the government and hope that the demonstration will not happen again.

"I have sent a letter to all members, keep operating so that people can shop for basic necessities," he told SUAR in Jakarta (1/9).

Regarding the rice shortage in modern retailers in some areas, Solihin explained that this phenomenon occurs because entrepreneurs are under pressure to sell premium rice.

The many cases of oplosan rice have made businesses hesitant to sell premium quality rice to the public. Therefore, many retailers have reduced their stock of premium rice.

BPS announces August deflation reaches 0.08%

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported that in August 2025 there was deflation of 0.08% compared to the previous month. On an annual basis (yoy), there was inflation of 2.31 percent.

BPS Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics Pudji Ismartini said, when viewed from the expenditure group, the expenditure group that contributed to the largest monthly deflation was the food, beverage and tobacco group with deflation of 0.29% and contributed 0.08% to deflation.

"The dominant commodity driving deflation in this group is tomatoes which contributed 0.10 percent to deflation," he said in a BPS press conference via YouTube, in Jakarta, Monday (1/9/2025).

Then, other commodities that also contributed to deflation in this group were cayenne pepper with a deflationary share of 0.07%, air freight rates with a deflationary share of 0.03%, then gasoline with a deflationary share of 0.02%.

In addition, there are also commodities that still contribute to inflation in August 2025. Among them are shallots and rice, which contributed 0.05% and 0.03% to inflation respectively.

Increase supervision

Economic Observer and LPS 2020-2025 Board of Commissioners Lana Soelistianingsih said the government needs to increase supervision of major food commodities to maintain inflation after the demonstration.

Food commodities are a major contributor to inflation, so their supply must be maintained, lest their prices experience a drastic increase. The National Food Agency can monitor price developments and can go directly to the field to check availability.

"Supervision is important for now, to ensure food supply and prices are maintained," he said.