Pandemic Drives Increase in Per Capita Soybean Consumption in 2020

The Ministry of Agriculture estimated that per capita annual soybean consumption in Indonesia was 12.15 kilograms (kg) in 2020. This means that Indonesia was estimated to be able to provide 12.15 kg of soybeans per year for each of its citizens last year.

This figure increased by 19.43% from 2019, which was 10.17 kg per capita per year. This is believed to be due to the economic recession resulting from the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, which reduced people's purchasing power for animal protein and shifted their consumption to soybean products such as tofu and tempeh.

Furthermore, the increase in soybean consumption is due to the growing number of upper-middle-class people adopting a vegan lifestyle. They prioritize food menus derived from vegetables and fruits.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture estimates that per capita annual soybean consumption will decrease from 2021 to 2024. The decrease is projected to be around 1.48% to 5.13% annually. This is in line with the decreasing domestic soybean production over the next four years due to shrinking land area.

Per capita annual soybean consumption is calculated based on production minus net export volume. This calculation is then divided by the Indonesian population during the same period.