Sepakat Importers Agree to Keep Soybean Price at Rp11,500 per Kg, Tempe Tahu Craftsmen are Relieved from Price Pressure

JAKARTA - The government is moving quickly to contain the price fluctuations of soybeans. The Ministry of Agriculture facilitated an agreement with importers so that the reference price for the sale of soybeans remains IDR 11,500 per kilogram at the importer level, so that the price at the level of tempe tahu artisans is kept below IDR 12,000 per kilogram.

The agreement was reached in a coordination meeting between the Directorate General of Food Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture with associations and business actors in Jakarta, Thursday (9/4). This step was taken when global geopolitical pressure began to disrupt supply chains and drive logistics costs.

Director General of Food Crops at the Ministry of Agriculture, Yudi Sastro, denied the news that the price of soybeans had reached Rp. 20,000 per kilogram. According to Yudi, the results of the verification in the field showed that the information was not true.

"We have verified directly to the business actors, and the information that says the price of soybeans has reached Rp. 20,000 is not true. The price remains below the HAP, even at the importer level it is still around Rp. 11,500 per kg," said Yudi.

He emphasized that supplies were still sufficient and prices remained under control. However, Yudi admitted that global pressure did have an impact on production, distribution, and transportation costs.

"There is indeed an impact from geopolitical changes that cause production and distribution costs to increase. But for the current condition, the supply is still sufficient and the price is still under control," he said.

The government is also preparing further steps. This year, the Ministry of Agriculture is running a soybean development program covering 37,500 hectares to reduce dependence on imports. Data from Gakoptindo processed by the National Food Agency as of April 8, 2026 shows that the price of soybeans is still below the reference limit. In Jakarta, the price ranges from IDR 10,500-IDR 11,000 per kilogram. In Java, IDR 10,555, Bali and NTB IDR 10,550, Sumatra IDR 11,450, Sulawesi IDR 11,113, and Kalimantan IDR 10,908 per kilogram.

From the importer's side, PT FKS Multi Agro Tbk Director Tjung Hen Sen said the price of soybeans at the importer level was still ranging from IDR 10,100 to IDR 10,300 per kilogram, depending on the region. At the artisan level, the price is said to be in the range of IDR 10,500 to IDR 11,000 per kilogram.

Secretary General of Gakoptindo Wibowo Nurcahyo confirmed that the price of tofu and tempe is still stable. According to Wibowo, the adjustments that may occur are only in volume, not in a spike in selling prices.

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman also gave an open warning to importers not to make excessive profits. "It's okay to go up but don't let it suppress our brothers and sisters who need it," said Amran.