The Supply of Soybeans is Sufficient, Tofu and Tempeh Makers Keep Producing

Tofu and tempeh entrepreneurs’ productivity in Bandung is confirmed, as the supply of soybeans as the main ingredient of both food is sufficient.

This was confirmed after the Acting Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana came to Tofu and Tempeh NJ factory on Wednesday, 16 February 2022.

“The supply is relatively present, although it is not plentiful,” he said.

According to information he had been gathered, there were several soybean-producing regions such as Brazil and America that faced crop failure. This influenced the price of soybeans globally.

“There were soybean-producing regions in Brazil that faced crop failure. So, the production rate was decreased. However, there is an incoming delivery of 140.000 ton of soybeans from Jakarta and it had been purchased,” Yana stated.

He predicted that with the incoming hundreds of thousands of soybeans, the production could still continue for 2 months. But he hoped that the distribution was equal.

Because of that, Yana instructed the related Head of government agencies to send a letter to the Indonesian Government to be given special treatment as to soybeans in Bandung City.

“Hopefully, we can get a special treatment, such as a subsidy of cooking oils. So, the price from the producers can be consistent,” he said.

It is worth noting that the current price of soybeans in Bandung is at Rp 11.000 a kilogram, whereas previously, it was Rp 9.500 a kilogram.

With the sufficient supply of soybeans, Yana hoped that tofu and tempeh productions could continue normally.

“The production should continue, do not stall or stop. Keep producing because tofu and tempeh are our food, too. So, the supply is sufficient but the price increases because it also happens internationally,” Yana stated.

On the other hand, the Head of Trade Office and Industry Agency of Bandung, Elly Wasliah, stated that NJ is a tofu and tempeh factory, as well as a soybean distributor.

The instructed price is Rp11.000 per kilogram to an agency. Whereas to producers is Rp11.500 a kilogram.

“We asked the owner of NJ factory, the increased price was confirmed” she said.

However, Elly assured that the supply of soybeans is sufficient.

“Alhamdulillah, the supply of soybeans is sufficient. For this month, this factory requires 180 ton. The producers usually require 3-4 ton normally, whereas during the pandemic they require 2 ton,” Elly said.

Elly confirmed the current increase of soybean price. This is due to the extreme weather that happened in some countries producing soybeans.

“Soybeans in Indonesia are 80% imported and 20% are from local. They are imported from America, Canada, Brazil, Argentina. Their production is disturbed, leading to the international increase price. Automatically, in Indonesia, the price also increases,” Elly said.

On the other hand, the owner of NJ factory, Ence, said that he kept strategizing things in order the production of tofu and tempeh continues.

“The import distribution should be adjusted so it is equally distributed: twenty ton a day from the distributor. Tofu production depends on the supply, as long as there is a purchase,” He clarified. (yan)**

The Head of Communication and Informatics Agency of Bandung City

Yayan A. Brilyana