Food commodities such as cilembu yam are in increasing demand, regardless of the economic conditions. Deni Rustandi, who is engaged in farming in Cilembu, especially sweet potatoes, along with fellow farmers, is experiencing a high volume of orders from various regions, including Riau, Jambi, Surabaya, Bali, as well as requests from Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. On a weekly basis, these orders can reach volumes of 3-4 tonnes. The most in-demand Cilembu yam, classified as super size or size A and B, is being directly purchased by modern markets and sweet potato oven kiosks in many regions.
Meanwhile, the smaller size C is also valuable and has its own market, accepted by kiosks and factories. The original Cilembu yam is characterised by its cultivation in Cilembu Village and the surrounding area. Sweet potatoes that are produced outside the area may look similar, but their quality can vary. The price of cilembu yam is maintained, but it is subject to variation depending on the timing of the harvest. Cilembu yam farmers are optimistic about the potential for their products to enter the export market, given the proven quality of their produce. However, this goal requires support to enable them to export independently, without the assistance of an aggregator.
