Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia planning to discuss a proposal to restrict or ban imports of cassava and tapioca, following complaints from local farmers over sluggish domestic market absorption in recent years. The talks will be coordinated with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.
The plan was confirmed by Acting Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim, who acknowledged growing pressure to curb imports amid falling prices that have hurt local producers.
“In response to calls to restrict cassava and tapioca imports, the Ministry of Trade is ready to initiate discussions with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs,” Isy said in an official statement on Monday (May 12).
He added that the ministry had received various inputs related to the national and regional economic outlook and emphasized that the government is prepared to examine the proposal seriously.
According to Isy, the proposed restrictions align with Government Regulation No. 29 of 2021 concerning trade policy, which mandates that decisions on export-import controls be made through inter-ministerial coordination led by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs.
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The Ministry of Trade has already reviewed the proposed restrictions internally, Isy said. A broader discussion, involving the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, is expected once global economic conditions stabilize.
“Any final decision regarding import restrictions will also take into account input from key stakeholders,” he added.
Calls to curb cassava imports intensified earlier this year after a wave of cheap imports was blamed for a steep drop in domestic cassava prices, reportedly as low as Rp 1,000 ($0.06) per kilogram. The price crash triggered protests by thousands of cassava farmers in Lampung, who rallied at the provincial legislature’s offices to demand government action.
Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman previously vowed to crack down on importers who prioritize foreign cassava over local produce. He also urged food processing industries to source their raw materials from domestic farmers first.
(Raidi/Agung)
