Imported Soybean Prices Skyrocket, Tofu Craftsmen In Wonosari Yogyakarta Have A Strategy, Reduce Tofu Size

Tofu Crafts (Photo: ANTARA)

YOGYAKARTA - Tofu craftsmen in Kepek Village, Wonosari District, Gunung Kidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta were forced to reduce the size of tofu to deal with the high price of imported soybeans.

The management of the Tahu Sari Mulyo Association, Kepek Village, Sakiyo, said that the increase in soybean prices had occurred since early January 2021. From the normal price, which ranged from Rp. 6,500 to Rp. 7,000 per kilogram, it gradually rose to Rp. 10,700 per kilogram.

"We are still producing tofu until now. We deal with the high price of soybeans by reducing the size of the tofu. There are also those who maintain the size, but increase the price of tofu every kilogram," Sakiyo said as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, June 2.

The impact of the increase in soybean prices also has an effect on a significant decrease in tofu production. Before the price of soybeans was Rp. 10,000 thousand, he could produce 2-2.5 quintals of tofu per day.

Currently only one quintal per day. The decline in production did not only happen to him, but almost all tofu craftsmen in Kepek Village.

"Tofu production here, the decline is almost more than 50 percent. We are trying to survive as much as possible, even though production is down and soybean prices are high," he said.

Sakiyo hopes that soybean prices will stabilize and that the government will take steps. "We hope the price is stable in the range of Rp. 8,000-Rp. 8,500 per kilogram," he hoped.

Meanwhile, Head of Distribution Section, Trade Sector, Office of Industry and Trade (Disperindag) Gunung Kidul Sigit Haryanto confirmed that the current price of imported soybeans had indeed increased.

"Based on the results of soybean monitoring at the level of community market traders, soybean prices have indeed increased. Currently, soybean prices have reached Rp 10,700 per kilogram," said Sigit.

Sigit said that based on the Regulation of the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Number 47/M-Dag/Per/7/2017 concerning Determination of Reference Purchase Prices at Farmers and Reference Sales Prices at Consumers for imported soybean prices, the reference purchase price at farmers was Rp. at the consumer Rp6,800 per kilogram.

"Currently, we are still monitoring soybean prices in the market. Then, we will report it to the DIY Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID), as material for determining further policies there," he said.