Rupiah Weakens, Tofu and Tempeh Producers Worried as Soybean Prices Rally

Tofu and tempeh producers in Semarang, Central Java, are worried about the rupiah’s depreciation against the US dollar. They fear this will push soybean prices higher, on a trend of gradual increases since the start of the year.

In Pandean Lamper, Gayamsari district, Semarang City, tempeh entrepreneur Adib Mukharam said soybean prices have reached Rp10,500 per kilogram. In early 2026 prices were around Rp8,000 per kilogram. Over the past month, the price of soybeans rose by about Rp250.

‘So the rise in soybean prices is already quite significant, around 25 percent in the last four months,’ Adib said when met at his tempeh processing site on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.

Adib explained that his tempeh production operation requires a daily supply of between 500-600 kilograms of soybeans. With the rise in soybean prices, Adib needs to increase capital or production costs.

He revealed that not only soybeans, but plastic prices have also surged sharply. ‘We normally buy plastic at Rp550,000 per roll. Now it’s Rp1,150,000 per roll,’ he said.

Because prices of soybeans and plastic have surged, Adib was forced to raise his tempeh selling price by around Rp1,000 per pack. To prevent prices from rising too high, Adib also reduces the portion of tempeh per pack.

‘So we make the size smaller so the price is more affordable,’ he said.

He admitted that he is worried soybean prices will rise again due to the rupiah’s weakness against the US dollar. ‘If you look at the potential for price increases, it will probably go up further. Because the dollar exchange rate seems to be rising. Our soybeans are mostly imported, so we have to follow the price from the importers,’ he said.

Adib said that, as a producer, he could adjust selling prices in line with raw material costs. ‘The question is, when prices of foods rise, but purchasing power also falls, then consumer purchasing power declines,’ he added.

He hopes for concrete government action so that the rupiah’s depreciation against the US dollar does not continue. ‘If the dollar can be restrained. It’s not a matter of us rural or city folk; producers depend on imports,’ he said.