Indonesia: Annual Inflation Eases to 3.23 Percent in October as Chili and Fuel Lift Food and Transport Prices
Indonesia's annual inflation rate slowed slightly to 3.23 percent in October, from 3.28 percent in September, official data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed on Monday, November 2, compared with a median forecast of 3.29 percent, and remained within Bank Indonesia's target band of 1.5 to 3.5 percent for 2026 and 2027.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.22 percent in October, with the consumer price index climbing from 112.31 in September to 112.56, and year-to-date inflation at 2.40 percent. The annual core inflation rate, which strips out government-controlled prices and volatile food prices, was 2.56 percent, down from 2.84 percent in September and below the poll forecast of 2.75 percent.
Ateng Hartono, deputy chief of Statistics Indonesia, said the drivers of October inflation were mainly food prices, including red chili, bird's eye chili and tomatoes, as well as higher transport fares caused by fuel price rises. Food, beverages and tobacco rose 0.51 percent in the month and contributed 0.15 percentage point to headline inflation, with red chili alone contributing 0.13 point, while the volatile price component rose 0.77 percent. On an annual basis, food inflation ran at 4.82 percent and transport at 4.87 percent.
Bank Indonesia raised its benchmark rate by a total of 100 basis points between May and June to shore up the falling rupiah and anchor inflation. Analysts said the October figures point to food supply shocks, rather than broad-based demand, as the main driver of price pressures.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 照片：市场摊位上的红辣椒（资料图），PattayaPatrol 摄，Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0 授权 / Photo: Red chilies at a market stall (file photo), by PattayaPatrol, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
