As the crescent moon that marks the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijri gets closer in early March 2026, markets all over Papua get busier. In the traditional markets of Jayapura, Timika, Wamena, and Sorong, traders carefully stack up bags of rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour, and fresh vegetables. People walk through narrow aisles, comparing prices, asking about stock, and getting ready for a month with a lot of spiritual meaning.
Not only is Ramadan a time to fast and think. It is also a time when people eat in very different ways. Families get ready for sahur before dawn and break their fast at sunset with meals that often include rice, meat, sweet drinks, and special dishes. Prices may change when demand for basic goods goes up.
In Papua, where geography makes things hard to plan, making sure that food prices stay stable and there is enough food before Ramadan requires everyone to work together. In February 2026, the Indonesian government stepped up its efforts to make sure that food was stable across the region. They did this through provincial authorities, the National Police, and state logistics agencies.
Early Market Inspections
On February 11, 2026, the Satgas Saber Papua went to Jayapura to check on food prices and stock levels ahead of Ramadan. Officers went to wholesalers and retailers and talked to traders directly about how much stock they had and how prices were changing.
The visits for inspections were not just for show. Officials looked closely at large amounts of rice, cooking oil, sugar, eggs, and meat. They looked at the stock in warehouses and compared the prices of goods sold in stores to national standards. The goal was clear: stop prices from going up and discourage people from hoarding goods in the hopes of making a profit.
Local officials say that most of the basic goods were priced fairly at the time of the inspection. There was enough rice, and distributors said that shipments had arrived on time.
Police and Food Task Force Strengthen Oversight
In the middle of February, the Papua Regional Police’s (Polda Papua) Food Task Force also increased its monitoring activities. On February 12, 2026, officers from the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation went to traditional markets and distribution centers to make sure that prices were being followed.
Their main goal was to stop “mafia penimbun,” or hoarders, from trying to store a lot of food to make it seem like there isn’t enough of it. These kinds of things can cause prices to go up, especially in remote areas where supply chains are fragile.
Police officials made it clear that anyone caught manipulating supply for profit during Ramadan preparations would face strict legal action.
In public statements, officers told residents that the police were not only keeping the peace, but also making sure that the economy was fair. They said that prices need to stay stable during this holy month for society to stay stable.
BULOG Guarantees Supply
BULOG, Indonesia’s state logistics agency, confirmed that food stocks in Papua were safe at the same time that law enforcement was watching over them.
BULOG regional representatives said on February 13, 2026, that there was enough rice in storage to last through Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr period. Reports said that warehouses in Jayapura and other distribution centers had plenty of supplies on hand, as well as extra stock in case demand rose unexpectedly.
Officials also told the public that they were always keeping an eye on the stocks of sugar, flour, and cooking oil. Distribution schedules were changed to take into account the busier market.
BULOG said in a statement that was reported in regional media that working with provincial governments and transportation companies had made logistics in Papua more resilient. Because the area is full of mountains and islands, careful planning is needed to avoid delays.
Provincial Government Steps In
The Papua Provincial Government also took action ahead of time. On February 14, 2026, officials from the province checked to make sure there was enough meat available for Ramadan and Eid.
We looked at cold storage facilities and talked to people who sell livestock. Officials said that the supply of beef was stable and that shipments from other provinces were on time.
Officials pointed out that during Ramadan, the demand for meat usually goes up, especially for communal meals and breaking the fast. The government wanted to calm any worries about the market by confirming that supply would be stable early on.
Representatives from the provinces told traders to keep prices fair and not take advantage of seasonal demand.
Geography and Price Sensitivity in Papua
Papua has its own problems when it comes to getting food to people. Papua’s infrastructure is still limited in many districts, unlike western Indonesia, which has a lot of people living there. Transportation can be hard because of mountains, rivers, and villages that are far away.
If the weather or road conditions cause a shipment to be late, it can quickly affect how available it is in local markets. This is why it is so important to intervene early, before Ramadan.
Officials from the Food Task Force said that prices in big cities stayed the same, but that remote highland districts needed special attention. To stop differences from happening, more monitoring and transportation coordination were put in place.
Voices from Traders and the Community
Market traders in Jayapura were happy with government oversight because they said that clear communication helps stop people from buying things in a panic.
One rice wholesaler said that when people hear rumors of shortages, they often rush to buy a lot of rice. Even if supplies are technically enough, this sudden rise in demand can put a strain on stock levels.
He said that early checks and public statements about how much stock is available make things less uncertain. He said, “People stay calm when they know the government is watching and the stocks are safe.”
Customers felt the same way. A mother who was shopping for Ramadan staples said she was happy to hear that there was enough rice and cooking oil. She said, “Ramadan should be peaceful.” “We want to pray, not worry about how much things cost.”
Ramadan and Getting Along with Others
Making sure that food is stable during Ramadan means more than just money. The holy month is all about being generous, sharing meals, and being there for each other. Price hikes or shortages could put a strain on families and ruin the holiday spirit.
Authorities want to protect not only people’s buying power but also social harmony by making supply chains stronger and keeping an eye on markets.
Police officials said that stopping hoarding and price manipulation is important for keeping the peace. There is a strong link between food security and public trust.
Coordination Across Agencies
The monitoring that took place in February 2026 shows that the agencies worked well together. The provincial government, police, BULOG, and local trade authorities all worked together to share information and act quickly.
Regular updates were sent out to make sure that any new problems could be dealt with right away.
Officials also wanted people to get involved. People were told to tell the authorities about any strange pricing or supply problems they saw.
Preventing Inflationary Pressure
Economists say that Ramadan often makes food prices go up all over the country. People usually want more sugar, meat, cooking oil, and rice.
The effect can be even stronger in Papua, where transportation costs are higher than in other places. Proactive monitoring helps lower the risks of inflation.
Authorities confirmed that price benchmarks would continue to be compared to national standards to make sure everything was fair.
Looking Forward to Eid
Preparations are still going on for Ramadan, which will start in early March 2026. During the month of fasting and the Eid al-Fitr celebration period, when people eat a lot again, officials stay on guard.
BULOG said they were ready to release more stock if needed, and police units promised to keep an eye on things.
Conclusion
As Papua’s markets get busier before Ramadan 1447 Hijri, the Indonesian government’s efforts to keep food prices stable and make sure there is enough food show that they care about protecting consumers.
Starting on February 11, 2026, inspections, coordinated market monitoring, and promises from BULOG and provincial authorities will help keep things running smoothly and keep people’s trust.
These steps give families in Papua peace of mind that they can celebrate Ramadan without worry.
When prayer, preparation, community, and commerce all come together in the rhythm of daily life, a stable food supply becomes more than just logistics. During one of the most holy months of the year, it becomes a base for peace.