Inflation in Indonesia: Rising Pressures Due to La Nina?
Inflation is under control in Indonesia. Based on the latest data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesian inflation eased to 3.60 percent (y/y) in April 2016, well within the target range of the nation's central bank and central government. However, inflationary pressures in Southeast Asia's largest economy may rise in the second half of the year because there is a big chance that the El Nino weather phenomenon is to be followed by the La Nina weather phenomenon. Both weather phenomenons impact heavily on Indonesia's agricultural output.
El Nino, which started to make its presence felt in mid-2015, is a weather phenomenon that involves periodical warm ocean water temperatures off the western coast of South America. This can cause climatic changes across the Pacific Ocean; it brings dry weather to Southeast Asia and therefore disturbs the output of agricultural commodities. Although El Nino occurs once every five years on average, it can pass almost unnoticeable, while at other occasions its effects are felt heavily, worldwide. The El Nino cycle that occurred in 2015-2016 was the heaviest in nearly 20 years, with its peak in December 2015. This impacted on harvests across Indonesia. For example, output of crude palm oil was curbed significantly in both Indonesia and Malaysia, the world's leading palm oil producers, explaining why palm oil prices have been surging recently.
La Nina is basically the opposite of El Nino. La Nina is a weather phenomenon that brings cooler-than-average sea temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, hence causing wetter-than-usual weather in Southeast Asia. Just like El Nino-inflicted droughts disturb agricultural output, La Nina-inflicted heavy and prolonged rainfall also disrupts harvests (due to floods or landslides). Analysts claim that there exists a 75 percent chance of La Nina making her presence felt in the second half of 2016. Cooler and wetter weather conditions would be particularly tough in case the impact of La Nina is felt during Indonesia's rainy season (which starts in October).
If indeed La Nina will bring additional rains later this year, then there should emerge inflationary pressures in Indonesia as prices of several strategic food products - such as onions, chilies, beef and chicken meet - will rise. Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo has already issued a reminder that the nation needs to safeguard supplies of these strategic food items (as well as the distribution network) in order to avert suddenly jumping inflation.
This year Bank Indonesia targets an inflation rate in the range of 3 - 5 percent (y/y). So far this year, inflation has been under control, supported by low energy prices. However, starting from June inflation is expected to rise due to an increase in consumer spending amid the holy fasting month (Ramadan) and ahead of the Idul Fitri celebrations in early July. There usually occurs a peak in inflation in Indonesia in the June-August period due to these Islamic celebrations as well as the start of the new school year in August.
Regarding Indonesia's May inflation several analysts believe inflation will be limited below 0.3 percent (m/m) as food supplies are under control with the harvest season still ongoing in May.
Inflation in Indonesia:
| Month | Monthly Growth 2013 |
Monthly Growth 2014 |
Monthly Growth 2015 |
Monthly Growth 2016 |
| January | 1.03% | 1.07% | -0.24% | 0.51% |
| February | 0.75% | 0.26% | -0.36% | -0.09% |
| March | 0.63% | 0.08% | 0.17% | 0.19% |
| April | -0.10% | -0.02% | 0.36% | -0.45% |
| May | -0.03% | 0.16% | 0.50% | |
| June | 1.03% | 0.43% | 0.54% | |
| July | 3.29% | 0.93% | 0.93% | |
| August | 1.12% | 0.47% | 0.39% | |
| September | -0.35% | 0.27% | -0.05% | |
| October | 0.09% | 0.47% | -0.08% | |
| November | 0.12% | 1.50% | 0.21% | |
| December | 0.55% | 2.46% | 0.96% | |
| Total | 8.38% | 8.36% | 3.35% |
Source: Statistics Indonesia (BPS)
Inflation in Indonesia and Central Bank Target 2008-2015:
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
| Inflation (annual percent change) |
9.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 4.3 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 3.4 |
| Bank Indonesia Target (annual percent change) |
5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Source: Bank Indonesia
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Inflation in Indonesia is high- higher than the published rate indicates. Really if you borrow money at or about 8% interest payable in US dollars, have banks lend money at much higher interest, print more money when you need it, drive foreign companies out of Indonesia and have a very high import tax how could anyone believe that the inflation is under control? It is rather funny that Indonesia does not know that if import taxed were reduced by 50% the amount of revenue for import tax would increase 300%. Smuggler profit would be reduced considerably! If people in government are suggesting hurting Indonesian producers;the idea is not true. A high percentage of imports would be for things not produced in Indonesia. Indonesia places sanctions on the people of Indonesia!