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.

Food Service – Hotel Restaurant Institutional Annual

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.

US Embassy Jakarta Holds Second Annual Ramadan Delights Event 

ID2024-0014
On April 2, 2024, FAS Jakarta held its second annual Ramadan iftar event at the U.S. Embassy’s @america cultural center. This year’s event, “Ramadan Delights with U.S. Products: featuring the Talents of Chef Vindex and a Conversation with U.S. Halal Certifying Bodies,” promoted high-quality U.S. food ingredients such as beef, cheese, dates, chickpeas, raisins, and seafood. These ingredients were integrated into local dishes traditionally served during Ramadan. This event also highlighted the diversity of the Muslim community in the United States and bolstered the confidence and trust of Indonesian consumers in the recently accredited U.S. halal certifying bodies issuing halal certificates for U.S. products exported to Indonesia. Halal certification will be mandatory in Indonesia for most food and beverages starting October 17, 2024.

Food Processing Ingredients Annual

ID2024-0012
Indonesia offers significant opportunities for U.S. ingredient suppliers to meet the demand for raw materials for its food processing industry. The United States is the third largest agricultural supplier to Indonesia, with an 11-percent market share. Soybeans and dairy products made up about half of all U.S. agricultural products shipped to Indonesia in 2023. Other top U.S. agricultural product exports to Indonesia in 2023 included feeds and fodders, cotton, corn, wheat, fresh fruits, and beef and beef products. Halal certification will become mandatory for many foods/ingredients/additives and for all processed food products starting on October 17, 2024.

Exporter Guide

ID2023-0036
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.

Food Service – Hotel Restaurant Institutional

ID2023-0019
In 2022, the Indonesian foodservice industry was valued at $29 billion, an almost 30 percent increase from the previous year, making it the largest foodservice market in Southeast Asia. The value of food service sales rebounded in 2022 but fell short of reaching pre-pandemic levels. 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, fruits, pork, wine, and tree nut products, mostly used by international hotel chains, high-end restaurants, and international fast-food chains.

Food Processing Ingredients

ID2023-0008
Indonesia currently imports 65 percent of the raw materials needed for its growing food processing industry. In 2022, exports of U.S. agricultural products to Indonesia increased by nine percent largely due to higher demand for soybean, dairy and beef. Top U.S. agricultural exports include soybeans, feeds and fodders, cotton, dairy, corn, wheat, fresh fruits, and beef and beef products.