Bapanas urges distributors and importers to comply with reference soybean prices

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has requested that soybean distributors and importers adhere to the government-determined Reference Sales Price (HAP) to maintain supply stability and protect consumers. Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilisation at Bapanas, I Gusti Ketut Astawa, stated that the government is continuously coordinating intensively with soybean importers to curb price increases that could burden tofu and tempeh artisans. “We are intensively coordinating with our importer colleagues. The current situation shows an increase, but it is not too significant and is in a very reasonable category. Nevertheless, by regulation, the current prices are still in line with the reference prices we have set,” Ketut said when confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday. Ketut mentioned that based on Bapanas data for soybean prices as of 13 April, processed from information by the Indonesian Tofu and Tempeh Producers Cooperative Union (Gakoptindo), the highest soybean price in DKI Jakarta reached Rp11,000 per kilogram (kg), while the lowest was Rp10,500 per kg. “Overall, the average soybean price in the Java region is Rp10,555 per kg,” he explained. Furthermore, in the Sumatra region, fluctuations were observed with an average price of Rp11,450 per kg. In Sulawesi, the average reached Rp11,113 per kg, while in Bali-NTB and Kalimantan, they were Rp10,550 per kg and Rp10,908 per kg, respectively. “However, the soybean prices for tofu and tempeh artisans are still in accordance with the reference prices we have set,” Ketut stated. The soybean pricing regulations are outlined in Bapanas Regulation Number 12 of 2024. The HAP at the consumer or tofu and tempeh artisan level is a maximum of Rp11,400 per kg for local soybeans. Meanwhile, the HAP for imported soybeans is a maximum of Rp12,000 per kg, assuming the importer level price is Rp11,500 per kg. He also assured importers to comply with the government-set reference prices and not to raise prices beyond the determined limits. His side emphasised that this policy is a direct instruction from the Minister of Agriculture and Head of Bapanas, Andi Amran Sulaiman, to maintain price stability at the consumer level. In addition, the government will take firm action against violations, including revoking distributor permits and suspending importer permits if unfair pricing practices are found. “The Head of Bapanas is very firm. So if there is any excess unreasonableness, we can revoke distributor permits and suspend importer permits,” he stressed. He also explained that the government is committed to keeping soybean prices stable up to the tofu and tempeh artisan level. If soybean prices exceed the consumer-level HAP of Rp12,000 per kg, the government will intervene. “When it exceeds Rp12,000 per kg, the government will intervene. Once again, we safeguard it together,” Ketut added. Previously, the Head of Bapanas and Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amran Sulaiman, emphasised to soybean importers to maintain price stability and not take excessive profits. He asked business actors to continue considering the interests of the community, especially tofu and tempeh artisans, so that price increases do not pressure groups that are highly dependent on these raw materials. According to him, this situation is an opportunity for importers to contribute positively by maintaining price balance for national interests and supporting Indonesia’s food security. It is known that in the 2026 Soybean Food Balance Projection managed by Bapanas, this year’s domestic soybean production is estimated at 277,500 tonnes. Meanwhile, annual soybean consumption needs reach 2.74 million tonnes, mostly for national tofu and tempeh artisan needs.