In a statement cited here on Sunday, Sulaiman said he had received a direct phone call from Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Julie Collins regarding fertilizer trade cooperation.
“The Australian agriculture minister thanked Indonesia for helping secure fertilizer supplies amid global geopolitical challenges,” Sulaiman remarked.
He noted that Australia highly appreciated Indonesia’s willingness to help address disruptions in global supply chains for energy, food, and agricultural feedstock through fertilizer exports.
According to Sulaiman, Australia viewed the exports as an important contribution to strengthening the resilience of the regional agricultural sector.
He stressed that the development reflected Indonesia’s growing self-sufficiency, which has enabled the country to export fertilizers.
The minister also referred to an earlier phone conversation between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during which Australia expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s approval of fertilizer exports.
He described the high-level communication as evidence of Indonesia’s increasing role in global supply chains.
“This is proof that Indonesia is gaining greater trust and emerging as an important player in maintaining regional food stability,” the minister affirmed.
Sulaiman attended a ceremony marking the first shipment of urea fertilizer to Australia at a port in Bontang, East Kalimantan, on Thursday (May 14). He said the shipment was part of a government-to-government agreement covering 250,000 tonnes of fertilizer exports.
The initial shipment amounted to 47,250 tonnes, with export volumes projected to gradually increase to 500,000 tonnes, valued at around Rp7 trillion (approximately US$400 million).
He emphasized that strengthening the fertilizer industry is crucial to supporting the national food self-sufficiency program, which largely depends on efforts to improve agricultural productivity.
Addressing public concerns, Sulaiman assured that exports would not disrupt domestic supply because they are sourced from production surpluses.
He noted that national urea production is projected to reach 7.8 million tonnes, while domestic demand stands at only 6.3 million tonnes.
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Translator: M. Harianto, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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