Indonesia urges BRICS to expand agricultural trade

Speaking at an exhibition and business matching event in Jakarta on Monday, Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza said commodity-based agriculture should complement the bloc’s existing focus on minerals and technology.

“This is an opportunity for us to encourage member countries to fully utilize the agricultural potential of each nation,” Riza said.

He noted that several BRICS member states remain primary importers of Indonesian agricultural output, particularly crude palm oil (CPO) and its downstream derivatives.

“Not just CPO, but also palm oil derivatives, so we can prepare value-added products for global and BRICS markets,” Riza added.

Pointing to India as a key market, Riza said New Delhi has requested increased imports of Indonesian agro-products—including cashew nuts and raw materials—while showing keen interest in processed goods.

In turn, Indian authorities have asked for regulatory adjustments to help narrow their trade deficit with Jakarta.

The diplomatic push aligns with broader efforts by the Industry Ministry to position Indonesia within the expanding economic bloc.

It follows Indonesia’s participation in the 4th BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) Advisory Group Meeting in New Delhi on Aug. 3.

During that session, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita presented three national priorities: strengthening small and medium industries, accelerating the green industrial transition, and building data-driven supply chains.

“Indonesia views PartNIR as an important platform for aligning its national industrial strategy with the collective capabilities of the BRICS countries,” Kartasasmita said in a statement Friday.

“By pooling our strengths, we can address shared challenges and ensure technological progress benefits all member states.”

Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar Fauzan, Yashinta Difa