Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri emphasized the importance of strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesian food and beverage (F&B) products to ensure they can compete in international markets. According to her, the F&B sector serves not only as a crucial pillar supporting national economic growth but also as a spearhead in bolstering the competitiveness and image of Indonesian products on the global stage.
She conveyed this during the Indonesia Food & Beverage Trade Promotion Forum in Jakarta on Tuesday (August 11). Organized by the Ministry of Trade and the SIAL Network, the event—themed "Indonesia F&B Go Global: How Far Can We Go?"—was attended by representatives from associations, business players, and relevant ministries and agencies. "By 2025, the global F&B market value is set to surpass USD 512 billion, with an average annual growth trend of 7 percent over the last five years. This figure reflects the immense export potential and opportunities for Indonesia's flagship F&B products. There remains significant room for evaluation and expansion to further enhance competitiveness in the international arena," explained Deputy Minister Roro.
Meanwhile, in the same year, the value of Indonesia's processed food exports reached USD 6.25 billion. This achievement places Indonesia fourth within ASEAN, trailing behind Thailand (USD 17.69 billion), Vietnam (USD 8.89 billion), and Singapore (USD 6.5 billion). Furthermore, Deputy Minister Roro noted that several challenges remain to be addressed—particularly by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—including meeting international quality standards, food safety certification, labeling and packaging requirements, access to financing, and the utilization of technology. Consequently, the Ministry of Trade is committed to continuously strengthening the national export ecosystem in a holistic manner. These concrete steps are being pursued through support for product quality improvement, the streamlining of export services and bureaucratic processes, the expansion of bilateral and multidimensional market access, and the strengthening of strategic collaboration with the business community and all stakeholders. "Indonesia's export success is determined not only by the magnitude of its potential but also by the courage to innovate continuously, enhance quality, and expand cooperation. We hope that more Indonesian businesses will be ready to enter the global market and make Indonesian products the top choice for consumers worldwide," added Deputy Trade Minister Roro.
The forum also featured a panel discussion with speakers from various ministries and agencies, including the Director General of National Export Development, Fajarini Puntodewi; the Head of the Inclusive and Green Economy and Finance Department at Bank Indonesia, Anastuty Kusumowardhani; the Deputy for Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of MSMEs, Bagus Rachman; the Secretary of the Directorate General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Yulia Astuti; and the Managing Director of SIAL Network ASEAN & India, Henry Tan.
Director General Fajarini Puntodewi expressed hope that the forum would serve not only as a venue for exchanging ideas but also as a platform for building closer collaboration among the government, businesses, associations, and international partners. "The market for processed food products remains robust and continues to grow rapidly, necessitating collaborative efforts to boost competitiveness," she stated. Ahmad Hanifa, a representative from PT HNF Alam Sejahtera and an event participant, noted that the activity offered significant benefits for exporters. One such benefit was the opportunity to access the latest information regarding trade exhibitions both domestically and abroad. Furthermore, the event provided a venue for networking with fellow exporters and relevant government agencies. "We currently export to Greece, France, Germany, and Spain. Hopefully, by participating in this event, we can expand our market reach to continents beyond Europe," he concluded.
