Tangerang. Trade Minister Budi Santoso on Thursday launched the export of ready-to-drink coffee products manufactured by Nestlé Indonesia to Australia, marking a new step in expanding the international market for Indonesian-made processed food and beverages.

The inaugural shipment, destined for Melbourne, was launched on the sidelines of Trade Expo Indonesia in Tangerang, Banten.

During the event, Nestlé Indonesia also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Trade Ministry, committing to exports worth at least Rp 10 trillion ($557.7 million) over the next three years.

The agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between the government and the multinational food and beverage company in expanding Indonesia's exports of value-added manufactured products.

Nestlé has operated in Indonesia for approximately 55 years and maintains manufacturing facilities in four provinces. The company produces more than 93% of its products sold in Indonesia domestically and has long supported the country's coffee supply chain.

The shipment to Melbourne represents an opportunity for Indonesian-made coffee beverages to compete in Australia's highly developed consumer market, where imported food and beverage products must meet stringent quality and safety requirements.

Budi said the government would continue leveraging international trade agreements and export facilitation programs to help Indonesian products reach more overseas markets.

"Our partnership with Nestlé is helping us take that story even further. It's opening up access to new communities, strengthening exports, and demonstrating that Indonesian products can compete and succeed because of the quality," Budi said.

Nestlé Indonesia President Director Georgios Badaro said the Australian shipment reflected the growing competitiveness of Indonesian manufacturing and the ability of locally produced goods to meet international standards.

He added that cooperation with the government could help Indonesian products and commodities gain greater access to global supply chains.

"By the end of this year, Nestlé Indonesia will export more than 50,000 tons of Indonesian products to over 30 countries across three continents," Badaro said.

He attributed the company's export performance to the quality of locally sourced raw materials and Indonesia's manufacturing and processing capabilities.

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