Soybean and Plastic Prices Surge, Tofu and Tempeh Slices Now Even Thinner

The surge in plastic and soybean prices is hitting tofu and tempeh producers hard. They are forced to thin out the sizes of tofu and tempeh to avoid losses.

This is evident in the traditional market in Kuningan Regency. The sizes of tofu and tempeh sold by traders are now smaller and thinner than usual.

One tofu and tempeh trader, Aam Rohamah, said that making smaller sizes is done to offset the high costs in producing these products. This is because they cannot raise selling prices to consumers.

“The sizes are made smaller so as not to incur losses,” she said on Friday (10/4/2026).

Aam said that traders had tried to increase the prices of tofu and tempeh by Rp 1,000–Rp 2,000. However, this was immediately protested by buyers, leading them to cancel their purchases.

“So the selling prices remain the same,” she added.

She further explained that if tempeh packaging were switched from plastic to banana leaves, the costs would double. This is because, even when using banana leaves, plastic is still used in the production process first.

Aam hopes that the prices of soybeans and plastic will return to normal soon. She stated that the price increases in these two commodities have led to a decline in sales.