Imported Soybean Prices Remain High Due to Middle East Conflict, Traders' Turnover Declines

The conflict in the Middle East region has impacted the prices and supply of imported soybeans. Traders are experiencing a decline in turnover due to the situation. This is evident at one of the imported soybean wholesale shops in Kuningan Regency. There, imported soybeans are sold for between Rp11,000 and Rp12,000 per kilogram. Previously, the price of imported soybeans was around Rp9,000 to Rp10,000 per kilogram. “Yes, since the war (America-Israel vs Iran). Because this is an imported good, there’s a price increase. That’s the trigger,” said Jihan Kesya, the daughter of the wholesaler owner, on Wednesday (6/5/2026). Instead of profiting from the price increase, Jihan revealed that her sales turnover has actually decreased and even plummeted at the start of the war. This is because customers reduced their purchases upon learning of the price hike. Jihan mentioned that protests from customers have become a daily occurrence. Customers expressed shock and reconsidered buying upon discovering the soybean price increase. Jihan stated that her wholesale shop usually sells around 400 kilograms of imported soybeans per day. However, since the war began until now, that level of turnover has not been achieved again. “Yes, now Alhamdulillah, it’s starting to increase again, but not back to how it was before,” she said.