Flores Earthquake Cuts Labuan Bajo Microbusiness Sales Below Half

Labuan Bajo — Ade Irma said on September 29, 2026, that Dapur Dite had not produced fish chili sauce even once during September and that overall sales had fallen below 50 per cent of pre-earthquake levels.

Irma owns Dapur Dite, a Labuan Bajo microbusiness producing fish chili sauce and Dite coffee, according to Pos-Kupang.com. The report said the Flores earthquake reduced tourist traffic and affected economic activity among micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Manggarai Barat.

The fish chili sauce had previously been the business’s main product, but production stopped during September. Coffee production continued at about five kilograms a week, according to the report.

The sales decline followed weaker visitor activity in Labuan Bajo after the earthquake. The report did not state a recovery date or identify a government measure for the business.

Why it matters to Komodo National Park readers

Labuan Bajo is the main gateway for visitors travelling to Komodo National Park, so weaker tourist traffic affects businesses that depend on visitor spending outside the park. The report links the reduced sales directly to the earthquake’s impact on tourism activity.

Pos-Kupang.com identified the earthquake as the event that disrupted local economic activity. An earlier report from the same outlet said the Flores and Manggarai Barat earthquake struck on August 15, 2026, and that some Labuan Bajo businesses were seeking sales through local events after orders declined.

Sources

• Pos-Kupang.com — regional news report
• smesta.umkm.go.id