Indonesia soybean imports reach 2.56 million tons amid production gap

Indonesia faces a significant gap in soybean production, with national demand estimated between 2.6 and 2.9 million tons. In 2025, domestic production is projected to reach only 300,000 to 350,000 tons, necessitating 2.56 million tons of imports. Data from BPS indicates that approximately 90 percent of these imports originate from the United States.

Firman Soebagyo, a member of Commission IV of the DPR, has urged the government to intervene to protect local farmers and reduce import dependency. He highlighted the potential of local varieties such as Grobogan and Anjasmoro, which have high quality and harvest cycles of 80 to 90 days.

Proposed measures to achieve a soybean surplus include providing at least 1 million hectares of cultivation land, ensuring partnerships and crop absorption, controlling imports, and developing superior seeds. Additionally, there is a call to increase national productivity from the current 1.6 tons per hectare to a target of 3 to 4 tons per hectare.