Don't Be Shocked, Housewives: Tempeh Prices Up by Rp500, Tofu Stays the Same But...

Imported soybean prices, previously around Rp10,000-Rp10,500, are now observed to have breached Rp11,000 per kilogram. The increase is suspected to be triggered by global supply chain disruptions due to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which impacts import costs. Amid news of the soybean price hike, tempeh and tofu prices at Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta remain relatively stable. Traders reveal that factory prices have not yet risen significantly. However, some note that tofu sizes have been reduced. CNBC Indonesia’s observation from one tempeh trader, Ipank, indicates he was forced to raise prices by only Rp500 for tempeh slices, while tofu prices did not increase, only the size was reduced. “We had to raise tempeh by Rp500 to Rp1,000, but we didn’t raise it too much because buyers’ purchasing power is already weak. Tempeh is now sold for Rp8,000, or Rp15,000 for two pieces; previously, one piece was Rp7,000. But for tofu, we didn’t raise it to keep it balanced,” said Ipang (39), a tofu and tempeh seller and producer at Pasar Minggu. Meanwhile, complaints are also felt by Sirman, a tofu trader. Besides soybean prices, he complains about the rising plastic prices. “With plastic prices up along with soybeans, we’re now just reducing profits; we can’t raise prices. Tofu that was previously 8x9 cm is now reduced to 9x9 cm,” said tofu trader Sirman.