Soybean Prices Rise, Tempe Size Is Reduced

BOYOLALI - Tempe craftsmen in Gilingan Lor Hamlet, Urutsewu Village, Ampel District, Boyolali Regency, Central Java, complained that the price of imported soybeans, which became the raw material for production, continued to rise to Rp. 13,000/kilograms.

"The price of imported soybeans in normal conditions is only sold for Rp. 10,000/kg to Rp. 10,500/kg and for this month, it has continued to rise and has now reached Rp. 13,000/kg. The increase in soybean prices has an impact on the turnover of tempe craftsmen which continues to decline", said Wartini, one of the tempe craftsmen, in Urutsewu Village, Ampel District, Boyolali, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, November 16.

The craftsmen to overcome the increase in the price of raw materials for tempeh production, namely soybeans, are wrong by changing the size of tempeh, namely by reducing the size and reducing tempeh production.

"We tempe craftsmen to cover the growing cost of production must rack their brains for business continuity to keep things going," he said.

This, he said, was because the price of soybeans which became the raw material for tempeh production had now been sold reaching Rp. 13,000/kg. In fact, if the price of soybeans in normal conditions was only sold for around Rp. 10,000/kg to Rp. 10,500/kg.

He explained that the average production of tempeh from his business reached 3 quintals per day, but with the increase in the price of soybeans making tempeh decreased to 2 quintals per day. Because, it is impossible for craftsmen to increase the price of tempeh in the market.

The craftsmen to overcome the increase in soybean prices to serve customers and do not lose money by reducing the size of production. The production size is reduced by about one centimeter so that it can still be produced.

Although, the price of soybeans continues to increase, tempe craftsmen have no plans to increase the selling price and continue to sell tempeh at a normal price of Rp. 2,500 per cut, with a thick size of 2.5 centimeters, 21 centimeters long and 6 centimeters wide.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Trade and Industry Office of Boyolali Regency, Darmadi, said the increase in soybean prices from the supplier level, but the supply of goods was still sufficient for market needs.

According to Darmadi, from the results of observations in traditional markets in Boyolali, the price of soybeans still reaches Rp12,600/kg, while the price at the producer level reaches Rp10,600/kg.

His party will continue to monitor the prices of basic necessities in traditional markets in Boyolali to control prices so as not to rise. Stock in the market is still sufficient for consumer needs to date.

Meanwhile, the price of basic necessities in Boyolali Traditional Market is still stable, such as medium quality rice for IDR 13,000/kg, premium IDR 14,500/kg, stable eggs IDR 15,000/kg, bulk cooking oil IDR 14,000/liter, premium quality packaging IDR 19,000/liter, sugar is also stable IDR 16,500/kg, wheat flour IDR 12,000/kg, chicken meat IDR 34,000/kg, and beef IDR 130,000/kg.