Indonesia Strengthens Food Product Expansion to Global Markets through SIAL Shanghai

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is strengthening the expansion and promotion of national food products to the global market through the SIAL Shanghai 2026 international exhibition.

Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri said that the food and beverage industry is one of Indonesia's largest manufacturing sectors that contributes significantly to national economic growth, job creation, and increased non-oil and gas exports.

"Indonesia continues to encourage the strengthening of the food and beverage industry as one of the engines of national economic growth," said Wamendag Roro as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 18.

Wamendag said Indonesia's presence at this international forum was part of an effort to expand export promotion, open up trade cooperation opportunities, and strengthen Indonesia's economic diplomacy with China and other partner countries.

Indonesia recorded positive performance in the processed food sector with a total export value of 6.25 billion US dollars in 2025.

Indonesian food products have reached various major markets in the world, including the United States, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Thailand.

China is one of the strategic markets for Indonesian processed food products, in line with the high demand for food imports in the country.

This condition opens up great opportunities for Indonesian business actors to increase exports of value-added products, ranging from coffee, spices, coconut sugar, processed cocoa, coconut derivatives, to various packaged foods.

Roro Esti also emphasized that the success of Indonesian products penetrating the global market is not only determined by production capacity, but also by product quality and compliance with international standards.

The Chinese government through the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) implements a strict and comprehensive import food supervision system.

Until now, as many as 2,840 Indonesian business actors have been registered at GACC, which shows that Indonesian products are increasingly trusted and able to meet international market standards.

At SIAL Shanghai 2026, Indonesia is present through the Indonesian Pavilion in Hall E3 with featured products from 17 national companies.

The products on display include coffee, spices, nuts, confectionery, crackers, processed cocoa, and various other processed food products.

On the first day of the exhibition, Indonesia recorded the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth 3.5 million US dollars at the Indonesian Pavilion.

The results are a positive start and the value is expected to continue to increase as the series of SIAL Shanghai activities continues over the next three days.

"This initial achievement is a positive signal for the high interest of the international market in Indonesian food products," he said.

The government is optimistic that the total potential transaction from Indonesia's participation in SIAL Shanghai 2026 and a series of trade missions can reach the target of 30 million US dollars.

"SIAL Shanghai is an important momentum for Indonesia to introduce the quality and competitiveness of national food products to the world. We are optimistic that the cooperation and trade opportunities that are built through this forum will provide real benefits for Indonesian business actors and the economy," said the Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia.