Kuala Simpang Market in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh, has recovered to 80 percent of its activities following a disaster in the area. Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that cleaning efforts continue alongside traders returning to the market. The Ministry of Trade provided emergency tents to support the recovery.
Kuala Simpang Market, the largest in Aceh Tamiang Regency built in 1982, accommodates 295 traders, including 156 stall vendors and 139 kiosk owners. A recent disaster disrupted trade activities in the area, but now about 80 percent of traders have resumed operations.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso, in a statement from Jakarta on Saturday (January 10, 2026), said, “Trade at Kuala Simpang Market is striving to resume with around 80 percent of traders already starting activities. This runs parallel to the ongoing market cleaning process.” During his visit, Budi ensured that supplies of essential goods remain stable. He added, “We have checked the condition of Kuala Simpang Market. Several traders have started selling again. While the market cleaning process continues, we ensure that the supply of basic necessities in the disaster-affected area remains maintained.”
To accelerate recovery, the Ministry of Trade through the Kemendag Peduli Program handed over 100 emergency tents on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) as temporary selling spaces. This aid came from fundraising by ministry employees, businesses, and the public. Similar assistance was distributed to affected areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra on December 1, 13, and 22, 2025.
The ministry is coordinating with local governments, distributors, and business associations to maintain food distribution. Stocks of essentials like chicken meat, eggs, curly chilies, and bird's eye chilies are under control thanks to supplies from Takengon and Medan. The ministry has written to Bulog and ID Food to replenish stocks of Minyakita cooking oil and Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan (SPHP) rice in the affected regions.
This commitment aims to restore traditional markets in Sumatra to revive community economies.
