ASEAN Collaborates with USDA to Hold Agricultural Biotechnology Workshop

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From March 4-6, 2024, 26 representatives from all ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste participated in a USDA-funded agricultural biotechnology workshop – along with dozens of private sector stakeholders at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. Representatives from each member state presented on regulations and research updates in their countries, and engaged in substantive conversations on balancing the need to assure the food safety of genetically engineered products with the need to innovate and meet increasing food security challenges. Day 2 of the workshop consisted of a field trip to an Indonesian potato farm growing GE blight resistant potatoes and the University of Padjadjaran which is developing GE catfish.

Indonesia Accredits Five US Halal Certifying Bodies

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On March 1, the Government of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) listed five U.S. halal certifying bodies (HCBs) on its website as fully accredited to issue halal certificates for U.S. products destined for the Indonesian market. The accreditation of these five HCBs is vital to providing U.S. suppliers with as many halal certification service providers as possible before enforcement of Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification law for most food and beverage products begins on October 17, 2024. U.S. producers seeking to send halal-eligible products to Indonesia should apply for halal certification either directly with the Indonesian government or through an accredited U.S. HCB. Mandatory halal certification does not apply to non-eligible products (i.e., haram/forbidden products such as those containing pork, alcohol, and other forbidden ingredients).

Oilseeds and Products Annual

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Indonesia palm oil production is forecast to rise marginally to 47 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024/25 on expected recovery from extreme weather in 2023. The mandatory biodiesel program continues to absorb significant domestic palm oil consumption, limiting exportable volumes. Feed industry growth pushed soybean meal use up to 5.8 MMT in 2024/25.

Oilseeds and Products Update

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Post revised down Indonesia palm oil exports estimate to 27.9 million metric ton (MMT) on lower supplies, higher domestic use and expected reduced export demand for 2023/24. Palm oil use for the biodiesel industry is revised down to 12.3 MMT for 2023/24 on lower-than-expected biodiesel distribution in 2023. Soybean meal use is estimated to increase 2 percent to 5.65 MMT in 2023/24 from the previous year on improved feed millers’ performance.

BPJPH Mandates Registration of Foreign Halal Certificates for Imports

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Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) recently promulgated a new decree requiring imported products’ halal certificates issued by foreign halal certifying bodies be registered with BPJPH prior to the importation and distribution of the products within Indonesia. This report describes the registration process.

Exporter Guide

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The United States is the second largest supplier of agricultural products to Indonesia with a 13 percent market share in 2022. Major exports include soybeans, wheat, cotton, milk powder, feeds and fodders, dairy, fresh fruit, and beef and beef products. These products also have the best growth potential due to insufficient local production to meet the growing demand for these goods. Despite an often challenging and unpredictable regulatory environment, especially for those products that compete with local goods, opportunities exist for exporters to supply Indonesia’s developed tourism market, growing food processing industry, and modern retail channels.

FAIRS Annual Country Report Annual 

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This report provides updated technical information for requirements and regulations on food and agricultural products as currently required by the Government of Indonesia (GOI). Sections that have been updated for this year include Food Additive Regulations; Labeling Requirements; Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registrations Measures; and Import Procedures. The appendices have also been updated and a section on Trade Facilitation has been added.

FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

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This report supplements information provided in the 2023 Indonesia FAIRS Country Report and updates the 2022 Indonesian FAIRS Export Certificate Report.

Cotton and Products Update

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Indonesian cotton imports in 2023/24 are forecast to marginally increase by 5.9 percent to 1.8 million bales compared to 1.7 million bales in 2022/23 assuming spinners will use more inventory on hand before making new purchases. Global demand slowdowns and tight competition from cheap, illegally imported clothing in the domestic market led to lower cotton utilization which will increase 2023/24 ending stocks to 379,000 bales.

Dairy and Products Annual 

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Although Indonesian dairy production is still reeling from the 2022 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, imports of dairy ingredients are expected to decline in 2023. Dairy importers are reporting a 10 to 20 percent drop in demand in 2023 due to a multitude of factors, including problems obtaining import recommendations and licenses, decreased consumer purchasing power, and election uncertainty. Post estimates Indonesia’s total dairy consumption in 2022 and 2023 at 4.22 and 3.7 MMT respectively. Dairy consumption in 2024 is anticipated to rebound to 4 million metric tons as post-election economic conditions are expected to stabilize.