Indonesia Plans to Implement Labeling Requirements and to Restrict Sugar Salt and Fat Content in Processed Food and Beverages

ID2024-0043 – Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) has drafted a new regulation that would mandate the use of a “Nutri-Level” front-of-pack labeling system for sugar, salt, and fat (SSF) content and set maximum SSF levels. Like the system used in Singapore, the proposed grading system would rank products as “A, B, C, and D’’ levels. C and D-level products would be required to display their “Nutri-Level” grade as well as their total SSF content per serving or per package. The first phase would apply to ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic beverages, potentially as early as December 2024. Once in force and fully implemented, this regulation would have a significant effect on U.S. packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage exports to Indonesia – currently valued at approximately $54 million per year. U.S. stakeholders are requested to share comments and concerns with FAS as soon as possible. Please note that the final regulation may be published prior to the January 2, 2025, comment deadline.

Sugar Annual

ID2024-0015
Despite area expansion by private sugar mills, a long, drawn-out El Nino in 2023/24 reduced both sugarcane and plantation white sugar production. The ongoing impact of El Nino will be immediately followed by the onset of the 2024 dry season combined with a predicted La Nina at the end of 2024, which are forecast to further reduce sugarcane and plantation white sugar production. However, high international sugar prices in 2023/24 have reduced imports realization. Considering the increased demand for sugar from the recent general elections and consecutive religious festivities in early 2024, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) increased authorized import allocations for 2024/25.

Sugar Annual 

ID2023-0011
Private sugar mills expansion leads to increased production in 2022/2023. El Nino, which usually increases sugar content in sugarcane and continues area expansion by private sugar mills is forecast to further increase plantation white sugar production in 2023/24 to 2.6 million metric tons (MMT). Nonetheless, imports of raw sugar are forecast to increase mainly due to higher demand from refineries. In an effort to reduce and stabilize retail prices, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) has issued permits to import 991,000 tons of plantation white sugar in 2022/23.