Indonesia strengthens global food product expansion through SIAL Shanghai
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 stated in Jakarta on Monday that the food and beverage industry is one of Indonesia’s largest manufacturing sectors, contributing significantly to national economic growth, job creation, and the increase of 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 Deputy Minister Roro while serving as a keynote speaker at the opening of SIAL Shanghai 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), China.
The Deputy Minister noted that Indonesia’s presence at this international forum is part of an effort to expand export promotion, open trade cooperation opportunities, and strengthen Indonesia’s economic diplomacy with China and other partner nations. Indonesia recorded positive performance in the processed food sector, with total export value reaching US$6.25 billion in 2025. Indonesian food products have reached various major global markets, including the United States, the Philippines, Malaysia, China, and Thailand.
China remains a strategic market for Indonesian processed food products due to the high demand for food imports in the country. This situation presents a significant opportunity for Indonesian businesses to increase the export of value-added products, ranging from coffee, spices, and palm sugar to processed cocoa, coconut derivatives, and various packaged foods.
Roro Esti also emphasised that the success of Indonesian products in penetrating global markets is determined not only 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 food import supervision system. To date, 2,840 Indonesian businesses have been registered with the GACC, indicating that Indonesian products are increasingly trusted and capable of meeting international market standards.
At SIAL Shanghai 2026, Indonesia is represented by the Indonesia Pavilion in Hall E3, showcasing flagship products from 17 national companies. The exhibited products 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 US$3.5 million at the Indonesia Pavilion. This result serves as a positive start, and the value is expected to continue increasing throughout the three-day SIAL Shanghai event.
“This initial achievement is a positive signal of the high international market interest in Indonesian food products,” she said. The government is optimistic that the total potential transaction from Indonesia’s participation in SIAL Shanghai 2026 and the accompanying trade mission could reach a target of US$30 million. “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 established through this forum will provide real benefits to Indonesian businesses and the economy,” concluded the Indonesian Deputy Minister of Trade.