During the 2025 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Trade Ministers Meeting, Indonesian Minister of Trade Budi Santoso met with New Zealand Minister of Trade and Investment Todd McClay. The meeting addressed the potential for collaboration in the agricultural and horticultural sectors to support Indonesia's priority programme, Free Nutritious Meal (MBG). Budi has requested New Zealand expand market access for Indonesian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) products to strengthen economic cooperation. Furthermore, Indonesia has requested New Zealand's tangible assistance in establishing the Indonesia Accession Working Group within the framework of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Furthermore, Indonesia expects technical and expert assistance in the process of policy review and adoption of OECD legal instruments. The Indonesian government is committed to enhancing economic cooperation with New Zealand and other countries to achieve national development goals.
Minister Todd McClay welcomed this collaboration. New Zealand's agricultural sector possesses significant capacity and expertise, potentially offering a collaborative opportunity to enhance food security and improve nutritional quality in Indonesia. This cooperation is expected to generate benefits for both parties in both the social and economic spheres. New Zealand currently ranks as Indonesia's 36th largest export market and 27th largest source of imports. From January to March 2025, the total trade value between the two countries amounted to USD 476.90 million, representing a 16.63% increase compared to the same period the previous year, which recorded USD 408.90 million. During this period, total exports from Indonesia to New Zealand amounted to USD 189.20 million, while imports from New Zealand were recorded at USD 287.80 million. The primary exports of Indonesia to New Zealand comprise oilcake, coal, monitors and projectors, electrical transformers, and wood. Meanwhile, Indonesia's imports from New Zealand include milk and cream, radar equipment, butter, cheese and curd, flour, coarse meal, and pellets.
