Tempe Producers in South Jakarta Cry Out Over Soaring Soybean Prices: Forced to Raise Selling Prices

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Tempe producers in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, are complaining about the rising price of raw materials for making tempe.

One tempe producer in Kampung Tempe, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, named Joko Asori (58), claims he has no other choice but to raise the price of his products.

“We have to buy expensive soybeans, we also need more plastic which is expensive, and cooking oil is expensive too. Of course, the price has to be raised,” said Joko when met by Kompas.com on Wednesday (15/4/2026).

Now, the price of imported US soybeans has reached Rp 1,120,000.

Then, the plastic usually bought for Rp 33,000 per kilogram has now skyrocketed to Rp 55,000 per kilogram.

“That’s not just a rise (in price) but a complete change,” Joko emphasised.

Not surprisingly, tempe that was usually sold for Rp 65,000 per kilogram must now be raised to Rp 70,000 up to Rp 75,000.

Several times he has received complaints from his regular customers. He is also experiencing a decline in sales.

Therefore, he hopes the government does not further increase the prices of soybeans, oil, and plastic.

“Clearly, I ask the Minister, the rise in soybeans should stop here, don’t let it drag on or rise again,” he hoped.

All this time, said Joko, tempe producers have indeed relied on imported soybeans from the United States.

Besides being considered cheaper, the supply of local soybeans is said not to be sufficient.

“Yes, hopefully the government can suggest to the farmers not to just plant rice, cucumbers and so on, but what’s wrong with trying to plant soybeans,” he said.