September 15, 2023

Western Australia Agriculture Minister explores grain export opportunities with Indonesian agri-food giant

Western Australia's Agriculture Minister, Jackie Jarvis, paid a visit to PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia (JAPFA), one of Indonesia's prominent agri-food companies, to explore the potential of exporting Western Australian grain, The Mirage reported.

JAPFA, a major player in Indonesia's poultry feed sector with 21% market share, operates across diverse segments, including poultry, aquaculture, beef cattle, and frozen food production. Minister Jarvis engaged in discussions focused on aquaculture feed production during her visit, as JAPFA is a key producer of feeds for marine water fish and shrimp.

Indonesia has witnessed remarkable growth in fish production from aquaculture since 2000, with an average annual rate exceeding 12%, far surpassing the growth rate of wild-caught fish, which stands at just under 3%. The country is projected to require an additional 8.7 million tonnes of feed grains and meals annually by 2030 to meet the escalating demand for meat and fish.

Australian wheat, barley, lupins, and canola meal are considered highly compatible with the nutritional needs of Indonesia's feed systems. Last year, Indonesia ranked as Western Australia's third-largest export market for primary industries, with exports exceeding AUD 1.3 billion (~US$841 million; AUD 1 = US$0.65)

Minister Jarvis expressed her appreciation to JAPFA for providing the opportunity to tour their facilities and engage in discussions regarding Western Australia's potential contributions to the feed grain sector.

She attributed these significant international interactions to the Indonesia Connect Roadshow, which facilitates direct connections between Western Australian businesses and global partners.

-      The Mirage