The governments of Indonesia and Australia recently engaged in bilateral discussions with the aim of enhancing collaboration in the field of halal product exports and imports between the two nations. This collaboration is poised to become increasingly productive and mutually beneficial. The meeting, held at the Indonesian Consulate General's Office in Melbourne, Australia, was attended by Ahmad Haikal Hasan, Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH). During the meeting, Mr Hasan emphasised the urgent need for 650,000 metric tons of halal meat per year to meet the nutritional needs of schoolchildren and support the Free Nutritious Food (MBG) programme. At present, Australia's annual halal meat production is approximately 140,000 metric tons. This gap represents a significant opportunity to increase trade volume, with the support of Australian slaughterhouses that have met halal standards and been certified by the Australian Halal Certification Authority (AHCA).
Haikal also emphasised the importance of halal certification for slaughtered meat products, vitamins, medicines, cosmetics, and skin care products, in line with the implementation of mandatory halal certification on 18 October 2026. Additionally, the BPJPH emphasised the necessity for oversight of recognised foreign halal certification bodies (LHLN) in Australia to ensure the maintenance of standards and the prevention of unfair competition. At present, 12 Australian LHLNs have been recognised by BPJPH. During the meeting, the Australian Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Indonesia's food security. They requested that the Indonesian Government accelerate the approval process for nine slaughterhouses, nine dairy processing plants and nine dairy product factories in Australia. Australia has proposed the implementation of a unified halal logo or label. It was mutually agreed that both parties would continue to collaborate to support sustainable trade and address future technical challenges related to halal trade.
