Job losses, rising food prices threaten Indonesians’ Ramadan spending spree

Eid-related incentives may not be enough to boost people’s purchasing power amid the economic slowdown, analysts warn

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Muslims break their fast during the first day of the holy month of Ramadan at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:00pm, 5 Mar 2025

Skyrocketing food prices and widespread job losses threaten to dampen Indonesia’s usually vibrant Ramadan spending spree, raising concerns that government incentives may not be enough to offset the economic slowdown.

Southeast Asia’s biggest economy typically sees a surge in consumer spending during Ramadan and the Eid ul-Fitr holiday – which marks the end of the Muslim holy month – due to traditions such as gatherings to break fast with friends and family at restaurants and buying new clothes to wear while visiting hometowns.

In 2024, Indonesia’s economic turnover during the Eid holiday was estimated at 369.8 trillion rupiah (US$22.4 billion), according to the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry.

However, an extravagant Eid appears unlikely this year amid President Prabowo Subianto’s austerity measures, rising food prices, a weakening rupiah and mass lay-offs in industries such as textiles, which employ tens of thousands of workers.

Food staples such as eggs, shallots, cooking oil and rice have seen significant increases ahead of Ramadan. On Monday, Trade Minister Budi Santoso revealed in a hearing with lawmakers that the price of red chillies had increased by 23.23 per cent to 81,700 rupiah (US$4.96) per kilogram, which he chalked up to “reduced supply due to heavy rainfall this month”.

A worker arranges trays of eggs at a supermarket in Jakarta on Monday. Items such as eggs, shallots, cooking oil and rice have seen significant increases ahead of Ramadan. Photo: EPA-EFE

Higher prices have left consumers and food sellers feeling the pinch.