Gradually Rising, Soybean Prices In Lampung Have Reached IDR 12,000 Per Kilogram

JAKARTA - The price of soybean commodities at the level of traders and distributors in Lampung continues to increase. In fact, in the past week, the price has reached IDR 12,000 per kilogram.

"Soybean prices are increasing, currently for large parties it is sold at IDR 11,200 per kilogram, while for retailers it is at IDR 12,000 per kilogram", said a trader at the Pasir Gintung Traditional Market, Titin, in Bandarlampung as quoted by Antara on Saturday.

She said, previously soybeans as one of the main raw materials for making tempeh and tofu were sold for IDR 6,000 to IDR 7,000 per kilogram.

"This increase is gradual from IDR 6,000 to IDR 8,000, for the increase to the price of IDR 10,000 or IDR 11,200 per kilogram has occurred since the last week, and now to the price of IDR 12,000 per kilogram", she said.

According to her, with this increase, many tempeh and tofu traders complained about the high cost of purchasing raw materials.

"If I don't supply much, in two weeks it will only be 2 tons. When there is an increase, many tempeh and tofu traders complain. And our sales have decreased by 30 percent from usual", she said.

Ida, a marketing distributor of soybeans from Bandarlampung, said the same thing.

"At UD Sastro Simpo, the price of soybeans per sack has increased from IDR 11,300 per kilogram to IDR 12,000 per kilogram. Later on Monday, the price will increase again", said Ida.

She explained, under normal conditions, the normal price of soybean supply in its place is sold at IDR 9,000 per kilogram.

"The increase in soybean prices has been going on for more than two weeks, based on information from suppliers, because in Brazil the harvest has failed. But imported soybeans are really affected by conditions in the importing country and the fluctuations in the dollar are risky", she said again.

Ida said that due to the price increase, her party experienced a decrease in sales, wherein a week they usually distribute 50 tons of soybeans, currently only 10 to 20 tons per week.

"Usually 50 tons can be sold, now only 10 to 20 tons. We don't have trouble getting supplies but have difficulty selling them because the prices are high", she also said.

She hopes that the increase in soybean prices that have occurred in the past few weeks can be immediately addressed by the government, to facilitate the economy of the community, especially tempeh and tofu craftsmen.

"Hopefully prices are stable, sorry for tempeh and tofu craftsmen. If tempeh products are reduced they won't be sold, but on the other hand, the price of raw materials soars", she said.