KEDIRI - Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elestianto Dardak and his wife Arumi Bachsin accompanied by the Mayor of Kediri Abdullah Abu Bakar visited the tofu village in Tinalan Village, Pesantren District, Kediri City.
Deputy Governor Emil Dardak came directly to the SMEs Tahu takwa in Tinalan Village, direct dialogue with the yellow tofu craftsmen "taqwa" related to business conditions amidst the increasingly high price of soybeans which broke at Rp. 11 thousand per kilogram.
"So we hear everywhere that the price of soybeans is increasing, making tofu and tempeh craftsmen nervous. We had an event in Kediri and immediately remembered that the mayor's city is a 'tofu city'. So, we want to directly look at MSME actors and It's true that prices have gone up," he said when he visited the tofu village in Kediri, as reported by Antara, Wednesday, February 23.
Deputy Governor Emil Dardak said that the fluctuation in the price of tofu was due to price pressures at the international level.
In a dialogue with tofu craftsmen, it was discovered that the purchase price of soybeans one week ago was Rp. 11,000 per kilogram. He had contacted through the cellular telephone of a large importer, who said that now the price of soybeans had risen at the importer level to Rp11,220.
The Deputy Governor also added that the craftsmen are quite difficult with the high price of soybean raw materials. Meanwhile, on the other hand, if the selling price of tofu is increased, it could affect the flow of customers. To work around this, craftsmen reduce the raw material for soybeans.
"The reduction in soybeans is only a change in texture, but the taste is still very good. Guaranteed, don't hesitate to buy tofu today, the taste is still really good. This is really really good. People don't hesitate to buy tofu, the quality is still maintained," said Deputy Governor Emil.
Emil Dardak admitted that until now Indonesia has not been self-sufficient in soybeans. He also tried to communicate with the Ministry of Trade the possibility of market operations or soybean subsidies for MSMEs.
"This is still in the early stages. We have to coordinate again to see further developments. But while waiting for the Ministry's decision, maybe the Guardian has started communication, we will introduce it to the representatives (importers) who knows there are things that can be carried out immediately. If it is needed, because he knows best. If the stock is still okay, the price is international strength," he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Kediri Abdullah Abu Bakar who also accompanied Deputy Governor Emil said the city government also hoped that the Ministry of Trade could make a breakthrough so that soybean prices could fall.
"We hope that the Ministry will continue to work to at least reduce the price of soybeans to the regions. So, we will communicate with the center, the Ministry of Trade, so that we can provide assistance in the form of transportation or whatever, so that the price does not increase too much," said the Mayor.
He also added that in the City of Kediri, SMEs owners know that they are still operating as usual.
"The stock is safe, all distribution is safe, only the price. While praying, I hope that the center will immediately move so that it can be stable again," concluded the Mayor of Kediri.
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