Biofuels Annual

ID2025-0029 – Indonesia’s aggressive biodiesel blending mandate rising from 35 percent to 40 percent in early 2025 has resulted in no exports due to limited production capacity. Expansion to B50 will require both significant subsidies and additional production capacity. The bioethanol market is projected for small growth in 2025, with E5 sales expected to remain limited in 2025 as the majority of the gasoline market is captured by subsidized fuel. In May and June 2025, the Government of Indonesia issued two conflicting regulations on biofuels, with one appearing to block biofuel imports while the other simplifies import processes. It remains unclear how these regulatory changes relate to the bilateral trade deal announced on July 22, 2025.

Drivers and Trends of US Agricultural Trade with Indonesia Opportunities and Challenges

ID2025-0028 – Following a lengthy period with a trade surplus, the U.S. trade balance with Indonesia in agricultural products began to reverse in 2021. Largely driven by increased palm oil exports, the highest trade deficit was recorded in 2022 at $1.8 billion. If the product scope is expanded to agricultural related products, including seafood and wood products, the deficit is even higher, valued at $3.7 billion in 2024. Overall, several factors substantially contributed to the U.S. agriculture trade deficit. These include increased competition (e.g., via tariff preferences and lower prices), non-tariff barriers (e.g., import licensing), and high U.S. demand for select Indonesian products. However, significant opportunities remain in this promising, albeit challenging, market, especially if the tariff and non-tariff barriers can be addressed.

Exporter Guide Annual

ID2025-0027 – Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy with a population of 282 million, presents significant opportunities for U.S. exporters despite regulatory challenges, declining middle-class purchasing power, and tariff preferences granted to our major competitors. In 2024, the United States exported $3 billion of agricultural products to Indonesia with major products including soybeans, livestock feed ingredients, dairy products, wheat, cotton, beef, and fresh fruit. Tariff and non-tariff barriers remain, such as import licensing and facility registration requirements. In addition, halal certification requirements will apply to most agricultural products by October 2026. However, Indonesia’s tropical climate and rising demand for food products support continued growth in high-value agricultural imports. To succeed in this challenging but lucrative market, U.S. exporters should work closely with local importers, participate in major trade shows, and understand Indonesia’s relationship-focused business culture.

Indonesia Agricultural Biotechnology Showcase Piques Interest of Indonesian Government Officials

ID2025-0024 – On May 22, 2025, FAS Jakarta organized the Indonesia Agricultural Biotechnology Showcase highlighting to Government of Indonesia (GOI) officials, university students, and other stakeholders Indonesia’s advances in the field of agricultural biotechnology. Indonesia is one of 32 countries in the world cultivating genetically engineered (GE) crops; however, new innovative products face a costly and interrupted approval processes that, if streamlined and made more efficient, can help Indonesia increase its biotechnology research, development, and production potential. Moreover, U.S. soybean and other GE product exports to Indonesia, valued at $1.75 billion in 2024, risk facing increased regulatory burdens without overall GOI support for biotechnology.

Indonesia Raises Palm Exports Levy

ID2025-0022 – On May 14, 2025, Indonesia raised export levies for most palm oil products, from 7.5 percent to 10 percent for crude products and up to 9.5 percent for refined products. The levy increases are meant to sustain the new B40 blend mandate program.

Indonesia Clarifies Prior Notice and Export Timing Requirements with Key Barriers Remaining

ID2025-0020 – Upon request from Post, the Indonesian Quarantine Agency clarified in writing that the export timing and Prior Notice requirements take effect on June 4, 2025, via regulation 14/2024 and provided additional clarifications on the regulation. Notably, the cutoff date refers to the shipment’s departure date as stated on the Bill of Lading. In addition, the Indonesian Quarantine Agency clarified the export timing requirement is different than previously reported, without resolving the fundamental concerns. This report provides additional guidance to help industry prepare for implementation of the regulation while FAS Jakarta seeks an extension and long-term solution. In addition, it provides confirmation of previously provided guidance regarding Prior Notice submissions for genetically engineered products.

Indonesian Prior Notice Must Now Be Submitted Before Vessel Departs US Port with Other Requirements Beginning June 6

ID2025-0011 – Multiple aspects of Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) regulation number 14/2024 could impact U.S. agricultural exports to Indonesia. IQA verbally clarified that the strict enforcement phase for “Prior Notice” notifications began on February 6, 2025, meaning that U.S. exporters must submit Prior Notice notifications before agricultural product shipments depart U.S. ports. In addition, beginning June 6, 2025, IQA verbally clarified this regulation requires that phytosanitary certificates be issued no more than 21 days after the phytosanitary inspection and that the shipment departs no more than 21 days after the phytosanitary certificate is issued. This report provides Post’s understanding based on verbal and informal confirmation from IQA, which we are seeking in writing. The information and guidance provided is intended to help U.S. industry comply and is subject to change.

Indonesia Curbing Palm Waste Exports – Discouraging CPO Mixture Practices

ID2025-0009 – In January 2025, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) enacted a new regulation to curb exports of palm waste products, citing that they have already exceeded the “reasonable capacity,” in the hopes of shoring up feed stock supplies for domestic cooking oil and biofuels production. This measure is also an attempt to halt “mixture practices” of blending crude palm oil (CPO) with palm waste exports to circumvent the once higher CPO export levy and take advantage of foreign demand for waste-based feedstocks.

After a Decade Indonesia is Updating Its Biofuel Roadmap

 ID2025-0006 – Indonesia’s new biofuel roadmap shows the government’s 10-year plan for higher biodiesel blending rates, bioethanol’s inclusion in non-subsidized gasoline, and drop-in biofuels. The roadmap draft also recognizes organic waste as a biofuel feedstock. Although the roadmap shows lofty blending goals for bioethanol, it lacks the additional regulations that provide subsidies to cover the price spread between bioethanol and gasoline like the ones that prop up the biodiesel blend mandate. Without these subsidies, fuel retailers and biofuel producers will remain disincentivized to meet the new bioethanol blend mandates. The roadmap does not address tariff rate reductions for imported bioethanol.

Indonesia Updates Regulations on Genetically Engineered Processed Products

ID2025-0005 – On November 18, 2024, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) issued Regulation No. 19/2024 on the Supervision of Genetically Engineered Food which updates the labeling requirements for genetically engineered (GE) products, and regulates microbial biotechnology, genome editing, and the food safety assessment of products with stacked genes. Specifically, the GOI plans to enforce an existing requirement for processed food products containing at least five percent GE material to be labeled accordingly. This may have little impact on U.S. GE product exports to Indonesia, currently valued at over $2.1 billion, since fresh GE products (e.g., soybeans) and those which have been refined and no longer contain GE DNA/proteins are exempt. To date, no processed food products containing five percent GE materials have been registered with the GOI, and so FAS Jakarta is not aware of any products in commerce in Indonesia that are required to be labeled in accordance with this new regulation.