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The Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) held the Halal 20 (H20) Forum in Semarang, Indonesia in November 2022. The forum covered a wide range of halal related issues and representatives from foreign embassies and 99 foreign halal certifying agencies (HCAs) joined in the discussions. This report summarizes some of the key points of the event.

On larger than expected production loss related Indonesia’s palm oil export ban policy, Post revises down Indonesia palm oil production to 44.7 million ton (MMT) for 2022/23 and updates 2021/22 production to 43.2 MMT. Soybean imports for 2022/23 are forecast at 2.6 MMT on continued demand from tofu and tempeh producers.

In July 2021, authorities detected African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic (DR). The disease, which rapidly spread throughout the country, crippled local swine production, but boosted export opportunities for U.S. swine meat producers to the Dominican market.

Market uncertainty and price volatility in international markets led to flour mills importing more wheat in 2021/22 to hold them over in case of future shortages. Therefore, Post revises 2021/22 wheat imports to 11.3 MMT, up 12 percent from its previous estimate of 10.7 MMT.

Indonesia 2022/23 coffee production is expected to rise to 11.35 million bags on improved yields. Domestic coffee consumption is revised down from the last update by 30,000 bags following a hike in fuel prices in September 2022. Green bean exports are revised up to 6.6 million bags on increased international demand and the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah.

Following the approval of a GE potato variety in July 2021, the Government of Indonesia approved four GE corn events for domestic commercial cultivation in February 2022. The U.S. exported nearly $2.2 billion in GE-derived products to Indonesia in 2021.

The Dominican Republic continues to be a strong market for U.S. bulk agricultural products (e.g., corn), intermediate goods (e.g., Soybean meal), and high value consumer-oriented products (e.g., processed food products), reaching a total export value of $1.59 billion in 2021.

The outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has significantly disrupted Indonesia’s fresh milk production, which dropped 35 percent compared with the previous years’ production. The decline in domestic fresh milk production has been offset by a significant increase in imported whole milk powder. A rebound of the food service sector industry is expected to support a modest increase in the trade of dairy ingredients in 2022 and 2023.

The Dominican Republic (DR) continues to ban and/or restrict U.S. poultry exports from states with any type of detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), regardless of the outbreak being reported as poultry or non-poultry.

FY2022 agricultural exports reach record levels.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) recently stepped up its enforcement of fresh animal product registrations. These new requirements are just two of the many provisions contained in MOA Regulation Number 15 Year 2021.

The Indonesian foodservice industry is valued at USD$22.8 billion, making it the largest market in Southeast Asia. Leading U.S. food prospects in this market include cheese, frozen potatoes, beef, fruits, pork, wine, and tree nut products that mostly used by international hotel chains, high-end restaurants, and international fast-food chains.