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.

ID2024-0050 - The Indonesian milling industry continuously faced significant challenges during 2023/24 which is estimated to continue posing some impact to 2024/25. Slowing demand from export destination countries and fierce competition from cheaper imported products in the domestic market have forced some textile and products manufacturers to take efficiency measures. Indonesian cotton imports and consumption in 2024/25 are forecast to decrease to 1.8 million bales and 1.75 million bales respectively. The declines are due to less demand from the export market and increased competition in the domestic market. Due to lower consumption, cotton ending stocks in 2024/25 are forecast to increase 10.6 percent from 2023/24.

ID2024-0049 - In 2023, the Indonesian foodservice industry was valued at $26.3 billion, a 13 percent increase from the previous year, making it the largest foodservice market in Southeast Asia. Most of the leading foodservice players are American fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks. U.S. food export prospects in this market include cheese, frozen potatoes, beef, fruit, pork, wine, and tree nut products, mostly used by international hotel chains, high-end restaurants, and international fast-food chains.

ID2024-0045 - Indonesia’s 2024/25 wheat imports are forecast to decline 8 percent from 2023/24, when higher demand from feed mills, consumption of wheat flour-based food from major events in early 2024, and demand for cheaper alternatives to rice drove wheat imports up to new record highs. With larger production, rice imports in 2024/25 are expected to fall sharply from 2023/24, when the national logistics agency tendered to offset the smaller crop. Increased corn production in 2024/25 will reduce the volume of imports, although feed and wet milling demand remains strong.

ID2024-0048 - Indonesia’s B40 biodiesel blending mandate program, which is expected to roll out in 2025, is projected to increase palm oil use by 3 percent to 22 million metric tons in 2024/25. Soybean consumption recovered in 2023/24 as soybean retail prices continue to decrease. Weak performance in the feed mill industry reduced 2023/24 soybean meal use lower than previously expected. Due to lower prices, Indonesia’s imports of U.S. soybean meal rose an estimated 43 percent to 167,000 MT in 2023/24.

ID2024-0043 - Overall, Indonesia’s total 2024/25 coffee production rose by approximately 2.4 million bags from the previous year. However, post revised down this 2024/25 production estimate 8 percent from the previous report’s estimate to 10 million bags as robusta crop recovery from severe weather impacts in 2023/24 underperformed expectations. Green bean exports for 2024/25 are also revised down from the previous report 13 percent to 5.2 million on lower-than-expected exportable supplies. However, 2024/25 exports are still 18 percent higher than 2023/24 exports due to overall increased supply and improved demand from several international markets. The United States is expected to remain the largest destination market for Indonesian coffee green bean exports.

ID2024-0031 - On October 18, 2024, the Government of Indonesia issued Government Regulation No. 42/2024, which granted an extension until, “no later than October 17, 2026” for imported food and beverage products to come into compliance with Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification requirements. The specific length of extension which will be afforded to U.S. food and beverage products is not yet known. However, today’s action allows U.S. food and beverages (except meat and meat products) to continue to be sold in Indonesia without halal certification. FAS Jakarta will seek to clarify multiple aspects of the new regulation and provide updates accordingly.

ID2024-0039 - As FAS Jakarta previously reported, the Government of Indonesia granted an extension until, “no later than October 17, 2026” for imported food and beverage products to come into compliance with Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification requirements. This allows most U.S. food and beverage products to be exported to Indonesia without halal certification during the length of the extension. The exception is meat, meat products, and dairy products, which remain subject to halal certification requirements under a separate law. Based on conversations with Indonesia’s halal product assurance authority (BPJPH), FAS Jakarta anticipates the extension will likely be granted for the full two years. In addition, the previous requirement to get halal certificates apostilled was removed, saving U.S. exporters an onerous and bureaucratic step. Please note some of the guidance within this report is based on information gathered informally and may be subject to change.

ID2024-0038 - The signature campaign promise of the newly sworn-in Prabowo administration, the Free Nutritious Meals Program, will be a large driver of increased demand over the next five years as the program aims to provide milk to over 82 million beneficiaries daily by 2029. Indonesian 2024 dairy demand is projected to rebound back to 2022 levels at 4.2 million metric tons and increase to 5.3 million metric tons in 2025 due to the additional drinking milk consumption increase to meet the Government of Indonesia's 2025 target for the Free Nutritious Meals Program. The new administration will also be actively pushing for increased milk production through the importation of a target 1 million dairy cattle from various countries over the next five years.

ID2024-0034 - Research and development of agricultural biotechnology in Indonesia continue to progress gradually. Over the past year, around 10 GE crop events have obtained food and feed approval, although only one has received environmental approval for domestic cultivation. To date, more than 50 crop events have received food and feed safety certificates. However, the development of animal biotechnology has not been prioritized. There is still no regulatory framework for GE animals and no GE animal products have been approved for commercialization. Since food security is a top priority of the new Prabowo Subianto administration, Indonesia’s national strategy supporting the increased development of GE products is expected to continue if not ramp up.