
What Is Causing Labor Shortage in Tofu Factories in 2025–2026?
Poor working environment: The working environment in tofu factories is often humid and stuffy, and requires long hours of standing work, which makes the work more intense.
1. Humid and stuffy: Tofu factories require a lot of water in the production process, so the air humidity is relatively high. In addition, the production equipment in tofu factories tends to generate a lot of heat, which leads to a high temperature in the working environment.
2. High work intensity: The production process in tofu factories is cumbersome and requires a lot of manual labor. In addition, the production lines in tofu factories are often continuous, so workers need to stand for long periods of time.
3. Possible safety hazards: Tofu factories need to operate equipment during the production process, such as mixing and breaking tofu/tofu presses by machine and so on, which are dangerous for workers' safety.
The following is a suggestion for improvement:
>Tofu factories can introduce automated production equipment to reduce the workload of employees, firstly, to improve the cleanliness of the environment, secondly, to improve the shortage of manpower, thirdly, to stabilize the quality of tofu products.
What Is Causing Labor Shortage in Tofu Factories in 2025–2026?

Labor shortage has become one of the most critical operational challenges for tofu factories worldwide in 2025–2026. While workforce shortages affect many manufacturing sectors, tofu factories face unique pressures due to their production environment, labor structure, and rising compliance requirements.
◆ Structural Labor Shortage in Tofu Factories
In recent years, tofu factories have been impacted by aging workforces, declining interest in manual manufacturing jobs, and stricter labor regulations. Younger workers are increasingly reluctant to enter factory roles that involve repetitive tasks, humid conditions, and limited career progression. As a result, labor shortage in tofu factories is no longer a temporary issue, but a structural one.
◆ Challenging Working Conditions Remain a Key Factor

A typical tofu factory operates in a high-humidity environment due to water-intensive processes such as soaking, grinding, and pressing soybeans. Combined with heat generated by continuous production equipment, these conditions create a physically demanding workplace. Long hours of standing work further increase fatigue and turnover, making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.
◆ Rising Safety and Compliance Pressures
From 2025 onward, food manufacturers are facing higher expectations regarding workplace safety, hygiene, and labor protection. Traditional tofu production methods involve operating mixers, grinders, and presses in wet environments, increasing accident risks. These safety concerns further discourage potential workers and intensify labor shortages in tofu factories.
◆ Automation as a Strategic Response to Labor Shortage

To address labor shortage challenges, more tofu factories are accelerating the adoption of automated production systems. Automated tofu production lines reduce dependency on manual labor, improve workplace safety, and create a cleaner, more controlled production environment. In addition, automation helps stabilize product quality and supports compliance with food safety standards.
For tofu factories in 2025–2026, automation is no longer only about efficiency—it is a strategic investment to ensure operational continuity amid ongoing labor shortages.
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What Is Causing Labor Shortage in Tofu Factories in 2025–2026? | CE Certified Tofu Product Line, Soybean Soak & Wash Tank, Grinding & Cooking Machine Manufacturer | Yung Soon Lih Food Machine Co., Ltd.
Based in Taiwan since 1989, Yung Soon Lih Food Machine Co., Ltd. has been a food manufacturing machine manufacturer that is specilized in soy bean, soy milk and tofu making sectors. Unique design soy milk and tofu production lines built with ISO and CE certifications, sold in 40 countries with solid reputation.
Yung Soon Lih has more than 30 years of food machinery manufacturing and technical experience, professional production: Tofu Machine, Soy Milk Machine, Alfalfa Sprouts Germination Equipment, Grinding Machine, etc.







