Indonesia seeks wider agricultural exports in talks with China
China will push for a working group on coffee, cocoa and palm oil, while Indonesia also seeks better garlic and soybean supplies.
Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman sought to expand agricultural exports to China during talks with Chinese Agriculture Minister Zhang Zhu in Beijing on 2 November 2026. China will encourage the creation of a working group to discuss cooperation on coffee, cocoa and palm oil, Zhang said.
According to a statement from Indonesia’s Agriculture Ministry, Zhang put bilateral trade in 2025 at about US$125 billion, representing around 25 per cent of China’s total trade with Southeast Asian countries.
Amran identified coconuts, coffee and durian as products Indonesia wants to sell more of to China. He also sought stronger cooperation to improve supplies of garlic and soybeans, which Indonesia needs.
Zhang said the trading relationship offered scope for closer agricultural ties through technology development, greater production capacity and commodity trade. He also highlighted Indonesia’s position as a major palm oil exporter.
The proposed technical discussions are expected to identify trading opportunities and follow-up steps for cooperation aimed at strengthening Indonesian agricultural exports to China. The cooperation is also intended to broaden market access, maintain product quality and increase the added value of Indonesia’s agricultural commodities.
