Russia hopes to start exporting high-protein wheat to Indonesia

MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) - Russian exporters are aiming to increase wheat sales in Indonesia and hope especially to begin exporting wheat with 12.5% protein content to the country, the Union of Grain Exporters and Producers said at the end of a business trip to Jakarta.

"We have discussed the tests conducted on a sample export of wheat with 12.5% protein. The Indonesian party said that the produce was of a high quality and that it was prepared to add it to the list of products it purchases. To date, Russia has not shipped any wheat of this kind to Indonesia," the press release reads.

The Russian delegation was led by the CEO of the union, Ksenia Bolomatova. The trip was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the grain industry and discussing opportunities and conditions for increasing exports of grain from Russia.

Indonesia is one of the world's biggest importers of grain, primarily wheat. In the 2024/2025 season, it imported 12.5 million tonnes of grain, 10.5 million tonnes of which was wheat. It is expected to increase this to 14 million tonnes in 2025/2026, including 12 million tonnes of wheat, amid a rise in internal consumption, the union reported.

In the last two years, Russia has exported over 2 million tonnes of wheat in Indonesia, placing it among the country's top five suppliers. The union said that Russian laboratories had had their accreditation certificates extended in August 2025, confirming that grain exports still meet Indonesia's requirements and thereby allowing Russia to increase grain exports to Indonesia in future.

During the business trip, both delegations took part in a strategic session, as well as direct B2B negotiations. The Russian delegation comprised representatives from companies Grain Gates, LegendAgro Group, Top Grain, Grain Service and Petrokhleb Kuban. The Indonesian party included leading industry associations and importer companies.