Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan said that Indonesia should not import potatoes because the commodity could be produced at home, Antara news agency reported.
"I do not quite agree if commodities that could be produced at home must be imported. There is no reason to import potatoes,"the trade minister said during a hearing with House of Representatives (DPR)`s Commission VI trade, here on Monday.
He said that Indonesia`s potato imports were small, namely accounting for 0.2 percent of the total national production.
Potatoes which are imported from China and Bangladesh are now flooding the Indonesia market with a price of about Rp2000 per kg, for cheaper than the local price of Rp500-Rp6000 per kg.
Chairman of the Indonesian National Farmers Association for strategic research Achmad Yacob has urged the trade ministry to stop the imports of potatoes because it dealt a great blow to the local farmers.
Gita said that he would not keep silent over this matter and promised to discuss it with the relevant ministries such as the ministry of agriculture which obviously issued a license for the importation of potatoes.
Previously, Agriculture Minister Suswono said Indonesia`s potato production was recorded at one million tons per annum, so that if Indonesia imported some 50,000 of the commodity it would not disturb the market price.
Gita said that he was also ready to discuss the matter with the finance ministry. "We will also question whether there is a special request from Mc Donald and Kentucky fast food restaurants,"he added.
He said that basically, the trade ministry was basically of the view that there was no need to import potatoes.
'Indonesia Should Not Import Potatoes' says Minister
Like to receive news like this by email? Join and Subscribe!
Get the latest potato industry news straight to your WhatsApp. Join the PotatoPro WhatsApp Community!
Gerelateerd nieuws
september 07, 2026
Calbee Potato Harvest Ceremony 2026 Highlights Stronger Hokkaido Potato Quality and Yield
Calbee Potato expects Hokkaido’s 2026 processing potato crop to reach 240,000–250,000 tons, with better quality and yields than 2025. Favorable temperatures and rainfall have boosted growth, although heavy rain remains a major harvest risk now.
september 07, 2026
Aardappeldemodag 2026 Draws Over 4,500 Visitors as Dutch Potato Sector Faces Year of Extremes
Aardappeldemodag 2026 brought over 4,500 visitors to Westmaas amid a challenging year for the Dutch potato sector. The event focused on market pressures, extreme growing conditions, knowledge sharing, machinery and innovation.
september 07, 2026
EUROPLANT en Finpom onderstrepen het voordeel van Finse pootaardappelteelt bij toenemende viruisdruk in Europa
Finpom wijst op de voordelen van Noord-Finland voor de productie van hoogwaardige pootaardappelen terwijl klimaatverandering de virusrisico's in Europa doet toenemen, en breidt zijn EUROPLANT-assortiment verder uit met LARISSA, JUVENTA, Filipa, FAVOLA en INA.
