Riri Rahayu (Antara), Jakarta – The increase in soybean prices has affected tofu and tempeh producers. Chairman of the Indonesian Tofu and Tempeh Cooperatives Association (Gakoptindo), Aip Syarifuddin, stated that many tofu and tempeh producers have reduced their production capacity.
"Reducing production up to 30 percent, some reduce their product size, some increase their prices," Aip said to Tempo on Friday, September 30, 2022.
Such measures must be carried out because tofu and tempeh producers are having difficulties purchasing local soybeans. Meanwhile, imported soybeans, which serve as producers' preferable choice, experienced a price increase because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
"I am currently in Lampung. Prices [of soybean] here Rp12,900 per kilogram," Aip said. "Meanwhile in Aceh and Kalimantan, prices reach up to Rp13,000 per kilogram. Same with in Sulawesi," Aip added.
Currently, Aip explained that there is no solution provided by the government to mitigate the price increase. "But we continue to trust the government and hoped to increase the production of local soybean by the Agricultural Ministry," Aip stated.
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, said that he will simplify the process for applying for soybean subsidy for tofu and tempeh producers. "Tempeh and tofu producers, if they wish to receive the subsidy, must undergo a long process. They must fill out data, must have NIB," Zulkilfi said on Friday, September 30, 2022, as quoted by Antara.
Zulkifli hoped that the Rp1,000 per kilogram subsidy for imported soybean provided by the Tofu and Tempeh Producer Cooperatives can help tofu and tempeh producers.