Minister Gita Admits Possibilities of Soybean Cartel
10 September 2013 15:28 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ministry of Trade Gita Wirjawan has not been able to confirm whether the increasing price of soybean was caused by cartel practices or just a matter of limited supply. "There are possibilities of cartel practices. We will investigate it later," Gita said on Monday, September 9.
Aip Syarifuddin, Head of the Indonesia Tofu and Tempeh Cooperatives Union, said that in July 2013, soybean price was still below Rp 7,500 (around US$0.67) per kilogram before it suddenly jumps to Rp 10,000 (around US$0.90) per kilogram in September 2013. The sudden price increase prompts Aip's suspicion on a soybean cartel.
Aip hoped that the government would continue to control and regulate soybean Producer Selling Price (HJP).
In response to the increasing soybean price, Minister Gita promised that he will negotiate with importers to ensure soybean distribution. The government will also persuade importers to apply special price to tofu and tempeh producers. "This is my promise as the government representative," Gita said.
MUHAMMAD MUHYIDDIN
