Soybean Prices Rise, DKI Urges Residents to Adjust Food Needs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the DKI Jakarta Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Office (KPKP), Hasudungan Sidabalok, has urged the public to adjust their food consumption needs following the rise in soybean prices in the market.

“To minimise the impact of the soybean price increase, we are advising the public to adjust their food consumption needs with other food commodities that have balanced nutritional value but are more affordable (food diversification),” Hasudungan said in Jakarta on Thursday.

In addition, he stated that the public can also engage in urban farming to cope with the price rise.

This step is considered one way to enhance family food security independently in their respective homes.

Furthermore, Hasudungan explained that currently, soybean prices have experienced varied increases, ranging from Rp10,500 to Rp11,000 per kilogram (kg) at the tofu and tempeh artisan level, up from the previous Rp8,000 to Rp8,600 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price increase at the traditional market trader level is Rp15,000 to Rp20,000 per kg, from the previous range of Rp13,000 to Rp18,000 per kg.

Previously, tempeh chip artisans in South Jakarta raised their product prices in line with the surge in imported soybean prices triggered by global dynamics, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region.

“The price of tempeh chips was previously Rp65,000 per kilogram (kg), now up to Rp70,000 per kg,” said the Chairman of the Kramat Pela tempeh artisan group, Joko Asori (57), in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to Joko, the soybean price surge began to be felt in February 2026, at Rp930,000 per quintal.

Then in April 2026, soybean prices jumped to Rp1,100,000, or even higher. This has been greatly felt by pure tempeh artisans as well as tofu artisans.

“Whether there’s an impact from the situation between Iran and America, I don’t know myself. What’s clear is that currently, tempeh and tofu artisans really need a lot of capital because per quintal, the increase is around Rp200,000 or Rp170,000 per quintal. That’s just the raw material,” Joko said.

Due to this price increase, he has coped by reducing the weight of his products.

“For tempeh artisans, if prices rise, it’s not possible to raise the price; for example, what was previously one kilo at Rp12,500, at most reduce it from one kilo to, say, 970 grams, reducing 30 grams,” Joko said.

In this way, he hopes that customers remain loyal and understand the price increase. He also asked the government to provide more assistance to local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).