The Impact of the 2026 Fuel Price Hike on the Income of Factory Catering MSMEs in the Industrial Area of Bekasi Regency: A Qualitative Literature Study

Abstract

The fuel price (BBM) rationalization and adjustment policy implemented in early 2026 significantly affected the operational cost structure of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the impact of the 2026 fuel price increase on the income level and business resilience of factory catering MSMEs in the Industrial Area of Bekasi Regency through a qualitative approach using a literature study method. Data were collected from national scientific journal articles, media reports, official reports from economic institutions, and public policy documents published within the last five years (2021–2026). The literature review results show that the fuel price increase transmits a double-squeeze effect in the form of a surge in daily operational logistics costs and inflation in the prices of basic food raw material commodities. In the factory catering sector within industrial areas, this pressure is aggravated by the phenomenon of contractual price rigidity with manufacturing corporations, which prevents the instant transfer of cost burdens to end consumers. The implication is a massive decline in net profit margins. To sustain business continuity, the literature identifies several tactical measures including menu engineering, collective supply-chain efficiency, and contract renegotiation based on flexible clauses. This study concludes that local government policy intervention is important, in the form of guaranteeing food supply stability and providing logistics incentives for strategic MSME sectors in industrial areas.