The policy follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to stabilize supplies for industry while safeguarding domestic producers.
“This is in line with the President’s instructions to secure raw materials, protect farmers, and ensure supply stability,” Budi said in a statement here Friday.
The first rule, Regulation No. 31/2025, amends a prior regulation on importing agricultural goods and restricts imports of cassava and its derivatives, including tapioca.
The second, Regulation No. 32/2025, revises rules on chemical imports and reintroduces controls on ethanol imports. Both regulations take effect 14 days after issuance.
Under the cassava rule, only producer importers with a valid API-P (Producer Importer Identification Number) can bring in cassava products.
Import permits require technical recommendations from the Ministry of Industry or supporting commodity balance data, and customs will monitor shipments.
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The Trade Ministry also plans to include cassava in the national commodity balance framework to better manage domestic supply and demand.
The ethanol rule responds to calls from ministries and industry groups to reimpose import approvals.
Ethanol imports had been unrestricted but will now require oversight to prevent disruption of local molasses markets, Budi said.
“Ethanol is critical for industry, but it should not undercut sugarcane farmers who produce the raw materials,” he added.
The policy also supports national goals for sugar self-sufficiency, energy independence, and the green economy.
In addition, the new rule allows registered hazardous material importers (IT-B2), including state-owned firms with API-U licenses, to distribute certain materials to industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food—if approved by the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM).
“The goal is to ensure access to key inputs while maintaining safe, regulated distribution,” Budi said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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