Indonesia’s food imports have shown an upward trend in recent years, driven by high domestic demand and limited local supply. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), there was a significant increase in food commodity imports in 2023, especially rice, sugar, beef, and corn (source: infobanknews.com). From January to November 2023, the value of consumer goods imports rose by 8.16% to USD 19.50 billion, propelled by a surge in basic food imports. This situation presents a major opportunity for foreign exporters seeking to supply Indonesia’s food needs.
Rice
Indonesia’s rice imports surged in 2022–2023. In 2023, rice import volume reached 3.06 million tons (source: databoks.katadata.co.id), the highest in the past five years. Most of the imports were semi-milled rice (~2.7 million tons, or 88.1% of the total). The main suppliers were Thailand (1.38 million tons, 45.1%) and Vietnam (1.15 million tons, 37.5%), followed by Pakistan and Myanmar. This spike was driven by high consumption needs and government efforts to maintain stock. As a result, rice import values reached hundreds of millions of USD. The heavy reliance on rice imports reflects efforts to meet basic food needs, especially when domestic production falls short.
Sugar
Indonesia also imports large quantities of sugar. By November 2023, sugar import volume reached 4.55 million tons with a value of approximately USD 2.54 billion. The top three sugar suppliers were Thailand, Brazil, and Australia. Demand from the food and beverage industry, as well as household consumption (especially during fasting month/Ramadan and Eid), drives the high import levels. Domestic sugar production still falls short of national needs, making imported refined sugar crucial for supply stability. With relatively low sugar exports, this opens opportunities for exporters from major producing countries.
Beef
Beef (including cow and buffalo) imports continued to rise. In 2023, beef import volume increased by 5.67% to 238.43 thousand tons (worth ~USD 834.27 million), the highest since 2018. The largest supplier was Australia (112.6 thousand tons or 47.2% of total imports), followed by India, Brazil, and the United States. Indonesia needs imported beef due to insufficient local livestock production to meet growing domestic demand—particularly for halal-certified meat. Per capita beef consumption tends to rise, making the Indonesian beef import market promising for exporters meeting quality and halal certification standards.
Corn
Imported corn is mainly used for livestock feed and industry. BPS reported corn import volume at 892.08 thousand tons (worth USD 276.07 million) in 2023. Main suppliers were Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. Indonesia has not yet achieved self-sufficiency in corn for poultry and ruminant feed, while domestic demand is growing due to an expanding livestock sector. As a result, corn imports remain substantial, even though the volume is relatively smaller compared to other commodities on this list. This presents opportunities for corn exporters, particularly those offering affordable, high-quality products.
Soybeans
Soybeans are an essential raw material for popular Indonesian soybean products (tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, soy milk, etc.). Domestic production cannot meet demand. In 2023, BPS reported soybean imports at 2.27 million tons (worth USD 1.47 billion), slightly down from the previous year. The United States was the largest supplier (1.90 million tons worth USD 1.26 billion), followed by Canada (271 thousand tons, USD 179 million). Indonesia’s annual soybean need is estimated at around 2.5 million tons, nearly all of which is met through imports. With high soybean consumption, the Indonesian market is wide open to exporters—provided they can compete on quantity, price, and quality requirements (including halal labeling).
| Commodity | Import Volume | Import Value (USD) | Top Exporting Countries | Main Use / Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 3.06 million tons | ~$1.45 billion | Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan | Food security, domestic shortfall |
| Sugar | 4.55 million tons | ~$2.54 billion | Thailand, Brazil, Australia | F&B industry, Ramadan demand |
| Beef | 238.43 thousand tons | ~$834.27 million | Australia, India, Brazil | Halal meat demand, limited local supply |
| Corn | 892.08 thousand tons | ~$276.07 million | Argentina, Brazil, USA | Animal feed, poultry industry |
| Soybeans | 2.27 million tons | ~$1.47 billion | USA, Canada | Tofu, tempeh, soy products |
In 2023, Indonesia saw a significant increase in food imports to meet growing domestic demand and compensate for limited local production. The top five imported food commodities—rice, sugar, beef, corn, and soybeans—accounted for billions of USD in value. These products are essential for both household consumption and industrial use, with main suppliers including Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Australia, and the United States. The trend highlights Indonesia’s strong reliance on global partners to ensure food security and supply chain stability, offering vast opportunities for exporters who comply with local standards and regulations.
To successfully enter and expand in the Indonesian market, exporters must pay close attention to local trade regulations, halal certification, and product quality standards. This is where INSIGHTOF, a trusted regulatory consulting partner, can assist. Established in 2018, INSIGHTOF supports companies in navigating Indonesia’s complex regulatory landscape—helping with product registration, import permits, and labeling compliance.
Sources: Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Trade Map, and reliable reports such as Infobanknews and Katadata.
(infobanknews.com, databoks.katadata.co.id, data.goodstats.id)
Data reflects the latest trends (2021–2024) according to official records from BPS and related agencies.
