Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important agricultural trading partners.
Decades of trade, investment and industry collaboration have created strong commercial relationships that support food security, economic growth and more resilient supply chains in both countries.
The work of Trade Diversification Network (TDN) member National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is key to Australia’s relationship with Indonesia. The peak national body representing Australia’s farmers and agriculture sector led a delegation to Indonesia in late August, in partnership with Su McCluskey, the Australian Agriculture Trade Diversification Representative.
Delivered under the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), Australian exporters engaged with government and industry leaders, gained insights into Indonesia’s agricultural priorities and explored commercial opportunities.
Government–industry partnerships set foundation for future growth
NFF was joined by representatives from the Australian grains and livestock consortium, including NFF members GrainGrowers and Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council.
The program worked to advance agricultural cooperation between Australia and Indonesia, with meetings and site visits across grains and animal feed, livestock, dairy and horticulture facilities, as well as engagement with Indonesian Government industry representatives.
McCluskey says Indonesia was a natural focus for her first international engagement as the Australian Agriculture Trade Diversification Representative.
‘Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important agricultural partners, with strong relationships and complementary agricultural sectors creating significant opportunities for both countries,’ she says.
‘Trade diversification is about investing in these relationships, understanding what our trading partners need and identifying where Australian agriculture can provide value over the long term as a safe, reliable and secure supplier of food and fibre products.’
Lauren Adams, Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner in Jakarta, notes that these kinds of initiatives are crucial to help Australian exporters gain a complete picture of the forces shaping the Indonesian market and opening new trade pathways.
‘The visit demonstrated why Indonesia is central to Australia’s trade diversification ambitions,’ says Adams.
‘Australian agriculture has capabilities that Indonesia is actively seeking across food production, dairy, livestock, feed, genetics, technology and skills development.’
Longstanding industry partnerships support productivity, supply chain resilience and economic growth, while strengthening an important relationship for Australia’s trade diversification agenda.
‘Building deeper industry partnerships creates opportunities for both countries, supporting commercial outcomes for Australian businesses while contributing to Indonesia’s food security and agricultural productivity objectives,’ Adams notes.
The visit to Juang Jaya Abadi Alam, one of the largest and longest-standing Australian agricultural investments in Indonesia, showed the value of industry-led collaboration in building resilient and sustainable food systems.
Supporting Indonesian food and agriculture supply chains
Australian agricultural inputs, including livestock, beef, grains and dairy, play an important role in supporting Indonesian food and agriculture supply chains. Growing demand for food, animal protein and agricultural inputs means there are ongoing opportunities for collaboration across the agricultural value chain.
Deeper two-way investment, shared agricultural innovation, workforce capability development and research partnerships offer significant opportunities to strengthen the long-term resilience, productivity and competitiveness of Australia’s and Indonesia’s agrifood sectors.
Site visits in Lampung accompanied by Australian Chargé d’Affaires Gita Kamath provided firsthand insight into Indonesia’s agricultural priorities and the value of trusted Australia–Indonesia partnerships in strengthening productivity and supply chain resilience.
Industry partnerships underpin long-term cooperation
The mission reinforced the importance of ongoing engagement between industry, government and agricultural stakeholders to support a strong and enduring Australia–Indonesia agricultural partnership.
Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton says the visit enabled the organisation to build on existing livestock trade relationships.
‘The visit to Juang Jaya Abdi Alam feedlot provided a great opportunity to see how Australian cattle contributes to Indonesia’s food security while also supporting jobs, investment and regional development,’ says Harvey-Sutton.
‘This feedlot is estimated to support at least 12,000 Indonesian families from farmers supplying feed and bedding to truck drivers, butchers, government staff, vets and port staff.’
GrainGrowers Director Fiona Marshall says the visit was an important opportunity to strengthen the relationships between Australian growers, exporters and Indonesian customers.
‘Indonesia is a hugely important partner for Australian grain growers, with Australian wheat and feed grains playing a direct role in supporting flour milling, food manufacturing and livestock production across the country,’ says Marshall.
‘Australian grain is valued because it is safe, reliable and high quality, and it helps underpin the everyday food needs of Indonesian households as well as the feed supply chains that support their growing meat, dairy and aquaculture sectors.’