Food Vendor Claims Not Fried Tofu And Tempe, Because The Merchant Is On Strike At Tangerang Malabar Market

Estri, a fried food seller who is confused about finding tempe and tofu sellers at the Malabar Market/ Photo: Jehan/ VOI

TANGERANG – Due to the high price of soybeans, tofu and tempeh producers went on strike for three days. As a result, consumers are confused about buying tofu and tempeh in markets in Tangerang City.

Esti, one of the visitors to the Malabar Market, Tangerang City, just found out that tofu and tempeh traders were on strike.

"Just found out, yesterday it was still selling. He said he was on strike because the soybeans were expensive. I was confused about what to look for," said Estri when met at Malabar Market, Tangerang City, February 21.

Estri told me that she last bought tempeh on Sunday, February 20, at noon. At that time the price per one piece was Rp. 5 thousand.

"Yesterday, I still bought one piece of Rp. 5 thousand, if it goes up now, I don't know," said Estri.

The woman selling fried foods admitted that she did not provide fried tofu and tempeh because of the absence of these foodstuffs.

"Tofu tempeh didn't exist first, the people didn't have the goods," said Esti.

Yani, one of the meat traders at the Malabar Market, said that since this morning many market visitors had been looking for tofu and tempeh.

"Many mothers were confused. Because the staple food is right," said Yani.

Previously, it was reported that the strike for tofu and tempeh production would be carried out simultaneously in Jakarta, West Java and Banten for the next three days.

Currently, the price of imported soybeans in the market is still high with a range between Rp. 570 thousand to Rp. 600 thousand per 50 kg, whereas previously it was Rp. 300 thousand per kg.

The increase in soybean prices will certainly make the income of tofu and tempeh craftsmen slump and they are in danger of going out of business.