TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Tempeh Tofu Producer's Cooperative Center (Puskopti) visited the PDIP Faction of the Jakarta Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) today, Feb. 23. Puskopti Secretary-General Edi Kuswanto voiced three demands following the hike in soybean prices.

First, the government is asked to stabilize the price of imported soybeans. “So the business of ours as tempeh producers can survive and exist,” said Edi to Tempo, Wednesday, Feb. 23.

The second demand is the government’s subsidies as a short-term solution. And the third demand is that the government should also consider a long-term solution, namely controlling soybeans under the State Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Edi underlined that a long-term solution is necessary as the subsidy of imported soybean prices would only be temporary. The Jakarta Puskopti also demanded the reappointment of Bulog to handle the soybean trade system.

“As in the past, there will be no price fluctuation. This condition can be deemed as an annual fluctuation,” he added.

He explained that soybean prices rose every year. The increase in the raw material for tofu and tempeh was around Rp100-200 per kilogram. In October-November 2021, its price ranged from Rp8,500 to Rp9,000. However, as of February 2022, the market price jumped to Rp11,300-11,500.

Read: Tempeh, Tofu Producers Go on Strike Over Soybean Prices

LANI DIANA WIJAYA