Federal Ag Minister’s Indonesia visit leads to | Australian Markets

Australia will begin exporting animal-rendered merchandise to Indonesia for the primary time in seven years following a profitable trade visit by Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins.

The breakthrough comes after Ms Collins travelled to Jakarta and West java final week to finalise a collection of agriculture and biosecurity agreements, building on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s earlier visit in May.

A new bilateral protocol, signed during the visit, clears the way in which for six Australian institutions to restart exports of rendered merchandise — together with meat and bone meal from cattle and sheep — used primarily in animal feed.

The trade is value more than $100 million yearly to Australian producers.

Exports have been suspended since 2018 after the Indonesian Government raised issues concerning the presence of pork materials, traceability points, and third-party packaging.

Six Australian institutions have been authorized by the Indonesian Government to export rendered merchandise.

Rendered merchandise consist of meat and bone meal from bovines and ovines, and with the merchandise primarily used for animal feed.

Wheat exports have been was additionally on the agenda, with a protocol to preserve Australia’s export accessibility to Indonesia and guarantee high biosecurity requirements.

Export of wheat to Indonesia was valued at $1.76 billion in 2023-2024.

A mangosteen operational workplan was additionally agreed upon during the visit, making certain biosecurity dangers shall be managed and offering an export route of the fruit.

Ms Collins moreover signed a memorandum of understanding between the 2 nations on biosecurity cooperation actions, and re-established a bilateral Forestry Working Group with the new Indonesian Ministry of Forestry.

Ms Collins stated the Albanese Government continued to “strengthen” Australia’s partnership with Indonesia.

“It was great to travel to Jakarta to meet with my ministerial counterparts, where we finalised a number of two-way agricultural trade and biosecurity agreements,” she stated.

“These agreements will ensure more of our world-class products are on Indonesian tables and will unlock significant benefits for farmers and producers in both of our nations.”

The two-way agricultural trade between Indonesia and Australia was valued at $5.5 billion in 2023-2024.

As half of the visit Ms Collins participated in trade occasions and and visited a feedlot in West Java.

“The quality, safety and reliability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries are valued by our friends in Indonesia, and it’s great to see how our products support Indonesia’s food security,” Ms Collins stated.