Tempe artisans in Ponorogo adapt sizes amid rising soybean prices

Ponorogo, East Java (ANTARA) - Tempe artisans in Ponorogo Regency, East Java, are countering the rise in imported soybean prices by reducing the size of their tempe products to preserve profit margins amid increasing production costs.

One tempe artisan in Ronosentanan Village, Siman Subdistrict, Hadi Prayitno, stated when met in Ponorogo on Monday (4/5) that the rise in soybean prices and supporting materials such as plastic packaging has increased production costs.

“If prices are raised, buyers might decrease, so we reduce the size of the tempe,” he said.

He explained that before the soybean price increase, production capacity reached around three quintals per day. However, now production has fallen to 2 quintals to 2.5 quintals per day.

The reduction is achieved by adjusting the weight of tempe in each package.

Previously around 380 grams, now each package of tempe is about 350 grams, considering the selling price is kept the same.

“The price is still the same, only the weight is slightly reduced,” he said.

Hadi added that he continues to use imported soybeans because local soybean availability is limited and the imported yield is considered higher.

Meanwhile, a soybean trader at Legi Market in Ponorogo, Rafli, said the price of imported soybeans has now risen from Rp10,000 to Rp12,000 per kilogram.

“The increase has occurred since the conflict in the Middle East; hopefully, prices can stabilise again,” he said.

He added that the price increase also affects local soybeans, which are now around Rp12,000 per kilogram, up from Rp9,000 previously.