“Tofu factories, which are a staple food for the public, are on the verge of stopping production due to a lack of soybeans for tomorrow.”
Choi Seon-yun, chairman of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Food Cooperative, made this statement on September 9 during a press conference at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. He emphasized that domestic tofu factories require at least 250,000 tons of imported soybeans annually to operate normally, but the government's supply plan for this year falls short by 30,000 tons, providing only 220,000 tons.
The industry is calling for the implementation of a 0% tariff quota on processing soybeans and the abolition of import profit sharing, which increases the burden on companies. They also stressed the need to transition from a state-run trade structure centered around the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) to a private, self-directed direct import system focused on actual demand.
Choi argued that domestic and imported soybeans should be managed separately due to differences in price, consumer base, and processing characteristics. He insisted that to resolve the recurring supply and demand instability, supply guidelines should be established based on a practical demand of over 250,000 tons annually.
“If we use domestic soybeans, which are 3 to 4 times more expensive than imported ones, we would have to sell tofu, currently priced at 1,000 won, for 3,000 to 4,000 won,” he pleaded.
Kim Seok-won, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Food Industry Cooperative, stated, “The tofu processing industry is facing an unprecedented crisis that may force factories to halt operations. If the government delays its decision, the consequences will lead to the closure of small businesses and an increase in living costs for ordinary citizens.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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