<![CDATA[This study examines the effect of rising prices of plastic raw materials, particularly those used as product packaging, on the financial performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, focusing on the culinary and retail subsectors during the 2022–2026 period. The issue is motivated by the surge in polypropylene resin prices, which reached between IDR 66,900 and IDR 102,900 per kilogram, and high-density polyethylene at IDR 50,000 per kilogram in April 2026, representing an increase of around 80 to 100 percent from normal conditions. This spike was triggered by supply disruptions from the escalating Middle East conflict, a 100 percent dependence on naphtha imports, and the depreciation of the Rupiah to IDR 18,020 per US Dollar. Using a quantitative approach based on the synthesis of econometric coefficients from prior studies employing multiple linear regression, this study tests two hypotheses: the effect of plastic price increases on MSME operational costs and on financial performance proxied by net profit. The synthesis provides strong evidence for both hypotheses, with policy implications directed at import-duty relaxation for plastic raw materials, packaging diversification, and strengthening pricing literacy among Cikarang MSMEs.]]>
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