The government has emphasized that the import deregulation plan will not be carried out carelessly and will continue to consider national interests, especially domestic producers and industries. 

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said the import policies will remain measured and will not sacrifice food self-sufficiency that is being built.

"The President's statement should not be seen partially. The point is to side with the people. If the people need (imports), it will be done. Otherwise, it will not be done. We at the Ministry of Agriculture always side with farmers," Amran spoke to the media on the sidelines of the Bugis Makassar Entrepreneurs Meeting in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as quoted by Kompas, on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

He was referring to President Prabowo Subianto's statement while opening the Economic Symposium in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 regarding the discourse on easing import policies.

Amran maintained that the impact on the imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the United States on Indonesian exports can still be managed.

He said that palm oil and biodiesel exports to the U.S. of 1.7 million tons could be diverted to the domestic market to support energy programs, such as B40 and B50 biodiesels, or to other export destination countries.

“In an attempt to maintain trade balance with the U.S., if necessary Indonesia can also increase imports of commodities that are not available domestically, such as wheat,” he cited.

Main priority

Head of the National Food Agency, Arief Prasetyo Adi, emphasized that opening the import tap will still refer to the commodity balance and does not mean opening the tap as wide as possible.

He ensured that this policy is not intended to kill domestic producers.

"What is important is who the importers are. Imports are opened not only for certain companies. The quota is still based on the commodity balance, and the importers are a combination of State-owned Enterprises (BUMN) and the private sector," Arief told journalists on Thursday, April 10, 2024.

He added that additional imports only apply to commodities that cannot be produced or are insufficient domestically, such as meat, soybeans, and wheat. According to him, this policy is part of a strategy to maintain food stability while fulfilling international trade obligations.