JAKARTA - Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has asked the government to temporarily stop importing refined sugar to protect the national sugar industry, which is considered increasingly depressed. This step is also considered crucial in the midst of global geopolitical dynamics and the sugar self-sufficiency target.
Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Andre Rosiade, emphasized that the import of refined sugar should be stopped until the new rules are issued.
"We ask that there be no imports first. Even if there is an import of refined sugar in 2026, it must be through SOEs," he said.
The decision was the result of a Public Hearing (RDP) of Commission VI together with the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry, BPS, and the sugar sector SOEs on April 8, 2026.
In addition to encouraging import restrictions through SOEs, the DPR also formed a working committee (Panja) to oversee the sugar trade.
The DPR assessed that the leakage of refined sugar into the consumer market was the main problem that was pushing down the price of local sugar.
The cheaper price of refined sugar than consumption sugar makes domestic products difficult to absorb, so it has a direct impact on sugarcane farmers.
Danantara Asset Management CEO Dony Oskaria assessed that the leakage of refined sugar was the main obstacle to the development of the industry.
"If this continues, the industry will find it difficult to develop due to refined sugar entering the market," he said.
The DPR considers the arrangement of the import of refined sugar to be the key to maintaining the stability of the industry and strengthening the foundation of national food self-sufficiency.
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