Jakarta. Indonesia and Belarus are seeking to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture following a high-level meeting between Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman and Dmitry Lukashenko, son of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, in Jakarta on Monday.

The discussion focused on strengthening food security and expanding trade in key commodities. Belarus expressed strong interest in Indonesian products such as cocoa, crude palm oil (CPO), and coconut milk, while Indonesia is looking to secure supplies of dairy products and potassium-based fertilizers — two inputs the country cannot produce domestically.

Elias Borisovich, a Belarusian delegate representing Dmitry Lukashenko, said Belarus views Indonesia as a strategic partner as both countries seek to bolster agricultural resilience.

“The main subject is food security for both countries. We have a lot of experience that we can share with Indonesia. We appreciate the warm welcome,” he said.

Minister Amran said that any cooperation must deliver real and strategic benefits for Indonesia, particularly in strengthening food supplies and accelerating upstream agricultural industries. 

“We need milk, and we also need potash. These are crucial because some of these commodities can’t be produced in Indonesia. What matters is affordability and quality,” Amran said.

Indonesia is encouraging Belarus to open its market to more Indonesian goods. Amran said Indonesia has a surplus of palm oil, with annual production reaching 46 million tons, as well as strong output in coconut and cocoa. Indonesia shipped $1.57 million in animal and vegetable fats and oils to Belarus in 2024 and only $87,000 in cocoa and cocoa preparations.

Jakarta also hopes Belarus can contribute to Indonesia’s National Strategic Programs, from technology-driven rice productivity improvements to meeting rising demand for meat and dairy.

A major focus of Monday’s talks was the potential for Belarusian investment in fertilizer production in Indonesia. The government estimates domestic demand for rock phosphate and potassium could reach 1 million tons annually, with needs increasing as Indonesia opens an additional 3 million hectares of new agricultural land, including 1 million hectares allocated in South Papua.

The meeting also explored opportunities for industrial cooperation in assembling agricultural machinery, from tractors to solar-powered technologies, to accelerate the modernization of Indonesia’s farming sector.

Lastly, Amran requested Belarus’ support in expediting health certificates and halal certification — requirements for Belarusian dairy and meat products to enter the Indonesian market. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and contribute to global food security.

Indonesia’s exports to Belarus reached $43.63 million in 2024, with electronics and fishery products as the top shipments, according to the UN COMTRADE database. Indonesia recorded $75.73 million in imports from Belarus as of December 2023, mainly consisting of fertilizers and dairy products.

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