Secure Food Supply for Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims, Trade Ministry Facilitates 360,000 Portions of Ready-to-Eat Meals

The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) through the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Riyadh reaffirmed its commitment to ensure the smooth export of ready-to-eat food products to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj season of 1447 AH. In a statement from Jakarta on Friday, 22 May 2026, the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Riyadh, Zulvri Yenni, said Kemendag has facilitated exporters’ obstacles faced by PT Halalan Thayyiban Indonesia (PT HATI) in placing almost 360,000 ready-to-eat portions for use in the Holy Land. ‘This step is important to ensure the food supply for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims during the pilgrimage,’ he said. Zulvri noted that the strategy pursued is to accelerate the issuance of the Certificate of Origin Form B in Indonesia, shorten the duration of sample testing by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), and thus speed up the customs clearance process in Saudi Arabia. The exported products consist of nasi sapi lada hitam (black pepper beef rice), nasi daging balado, nasi gulai ayam, nasi opor ayam, nasi semur ayam, semur daging, rendang daging, and balado beef that have halal certification from BPJPH and health certificates from BPOM. The products have entered the stage of inspection and goods verification at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to Zulvri, the demand for ready-to-eat meals for Indonesian pilgrims each year is substantial; as the number of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims increases, so does the need for ready-to-eat meals, with a minimum of 1 million portions. This condition also requires smooth distribution and assured supply. ‘The Ministry of Trade’s facilitation in safeguarding the smooth export of ready-to-eat meals is also an effort to strengthen the penetration of Indonesian halal products and processed foods into the Saudi market. This commitment will continue for the next Hajj year,’ he emphasised. Currently there are around 180 types of ready-to-eat Indonesian foods available for exporters and importers to meet the needs of the Hajj pilgrims. All of these products must be accompanied by halal certificates and health certificates, and should emphasise the distinctive taste of Indonesian cuisine to keep pilgrims comfortable and healthy while in the Holy Land.