JAKARTA. Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan has ensured a sufficient supply of soybeans for tofu and tempeh producers at affordable prices.
“My visit this time aims to assure tofu and tempeh producers that soybean supplies are available, so they need not worry about a raw material shortage,” said Gita in a statement in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.
He made the statements when visiting a tofu and tempeh producer center that is part of the Indonesian Tofu and Tempeh Producers Cooperative (Primkopti) in Semanan subdistrict, Kalideres district, West Jakarta.
Gita added the ministry had issued an import permit of 100,000 tons of soybeans to the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in the hope that this could meet the soybean demands of tofu and tempeh producers.
“We have given an import permit of 100,000 tons of soybeans to Bulog. If the daily need of soybeans for tofu and tempeh production in Semanan reaches around 60 tons, or 1,800 tons per month, then Bulog could meet producers’ demands,” said Gita.
He said the national stock of soybeans had reached 300,000 tons and was sufficient to meet the national demand.
“However, we should know that producers get the soybeans from the importers and their purchasing prices are heavily influenced by the strengthening of the US dollar,” said Gita.
As a short term solution, he added, the ministry would ensure that importers could cooperate with Kopti to supply soybeans with special prices for tofu and tempeh producers. (The Jakarta Post)
Cek Berita dan Artikel yang lain di Google News
