Prabowo Highlights Middle East Conflict: Many Countries Request Fertiliser from Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto stated that many countries are requesting assistance with fertiliser supplies from Indonesia due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting global fertiliser raw materials.

“I have received reports from the Minister of Agriculture that many countries are requesting fertiliser from Indonesia. We are not being euphoric, we are not being arrogant, but we are now in a position to provide assistance,” Prabowo said in Nganjuk, East Java, on Saturday (16/5/2026).

“Australia has asked for our help; we are selling 500,000 tons of urea to Australia. The Philippines has also asked us, as have India, Bangladesh, and Brazil,” he said.

In addition to fertiliser, Prabowo said that many countries are also interested in buying rice from Indonesia.

“Imagine if we were not self-sufficient, if we had not quickly resolved the agricultural issues. Thank you to all parties. Fortunately, we have a great Minister of Agriculture. Because he is indeed a farmer’s son,” he said.

Furthermore, Prabowo said that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in the Middle East is affecting global energy supplies because about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through it.

“Even now, it has become clear that many countries are experiencing difficulties and panic because of the war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which means that fertiliser is also affected because much of the fertiliser comes from oil and gas,” he said.

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