Jakarta. Belarus is looking to expand exports of dairy products to Indonesia, using the Food & Hospitality Indonesia (FHI) 2026 trade exhibition in Jakarta to introduce a broader range of products and strengthen commercial ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Aleksandr Yakovchits said Belarus was participating in the exhibition for the first time as part of efforts to deepen food trade cooperation with Indonesia.

He said bilateral trade relations had gained momentum following Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko's recent visit to Indonesia and a business forum held alongside the trip.

"The Indonesian market is not new to us. We have already supplied milk powder and other dairy products. Now we want to introduce the full range of Belarusian dairy products to the Indonesian market," Yakovchits told reporters on the sidelines of the exhibition on Tuesday.

Belarus sees significant growth potential in Indonesia, where domestic production still falls short of demand for many dairy products, he said. The country plans to expand exports beyond milk powder to include ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, whey, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and cheese.

Yakovchits said Indonesia's large sweetened condensed milk market represents a particularly attractive opportunity, while Belarusian butter and cheese are already competitive internationally.

He noted that Belarus ranks among the world's five largest exporters of butter and cheese and said its products can compete with those from Europe and New Zealand on both quality and price.

Belarus hopes its participation in FHI 2026 will generate new partnerships with Indonesian businesses and expand market access for its food products.

"For us, this is a great opportunity, and we have high expectations for our products at this exhibition," Yakovchits said.

Belarusian Food Producers Seek Local Partners
Among the exhibitors is Belarusian confectionery producer Krasny Pishchevik, which is seeking distributors, buyers, and business partners to expand sales in Indonesia.

A company executive said participation in the exhibition would also help the company better understand Indonesian consumer preferences, enabling it to adapt product flavors and characteristics to local tastes.

Another Belarusian exhibitor, chocolate manufacturer Kommunarka, is also using the event to introduce its products and search for Indonesian distribution partners.

Deputy Director General for Commercial Affairs Triboy Sergey said the company brought a range of flagship chocolates and confectionery products, including the Alenka, President, and Truffle brands, alongside newer offerings such as protein-enriched chocolate for sports nutrition and other snack products.

"We need a distributor that can bring our products into local stores," Sergey said.

He acknowledged that Belarusian chocolate remains relatively unfamiliar to Indonesian consumers and said the company hopes to build brand recognition and establish a reputation for quality in the market.

In the longer term, Kommunarka is also exploring the possibility of manufacturing in Indonesia, citing the country's position as one of the world's leading cocoa bean producers, which could improve supply chain efficiency and reduce logistics costs.

This year marks the 20th edition of Food & Hospitality Indonesia, the country's leading international trade exhibition for the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.