Trade Ministry Guarantees Sufficient Soybean Supply for Indonesian Tofu, Soybean Cake Industry

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Trade Ministry has assured adequate supplies of soybean to meet the nationwide demand from the tofu and soybean cake (tempeh) industry.

The ministry’s statement came in response to the Association of Tempeh and Tofu Producers Cooperatives (Gakoptindo), which will go on strike from January 1-3 due to the high imported soybeans prices.

The ministry’s secretary general Suhanto said the ministry had coordinated with Gakoptindo, prompting the producers to adjust the prices of tofu and tempeh after the increase in imported soybeans.

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Suhanto further added that based on the discussion the prices of imported soybeans at the tofu and tempeh producer level have been adjusted from 9,000 rupiahs ($0.63) per kilogram in November 2020 to 9,300 rupiahs ($0.65) - 9,500 rupiahs ($0.67) per kilogram in December 2020, or up 3.33 percent - 5.56 percent.

“The Ministry of Trade continues to support the Indonesian tofu and tempeh industry. With the price adjustment, it is hoped that people will still be able to consume tofu and tempeh made by the tofu and tempeh producers,” said Suhanto in a statement on Friday, January 1.

Suhanto said that according to the Indonesian Soybean Association (Akindo), the importers always have about 450,000 tons of soybean ready in stock at the warehouses.

Meanwhile, the Gakoptindo members need about 150,000-160,000 tons of soybean per month.

“The supplies of soybean should still be sufficient for the next two to three months,” he said.
Suhanto said in December last year, the world price of soybeans stood at $12.95 per bushel or up nine percent from $11.92 per bushel in the previous month.

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