Photo credit: U.S. Wheat Associates.
Demonstrating American wheat farmers’ commitment to meeting global wheat demand, U.S. Wheat Associates (U.S. Wheat) recently participated in a USDA Trade Mission to Indonesia from February 2 to 5, 2026. The trade mission highlighted U.S. Wheat’s efforts to support sales to the world’s fourth-most populous country.
“U.S. Wheat sincerely values the hospitality of our Indonesian partners and the tireless efforts of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) team in Jakarta,” said Joe Sowers, USW regional vice president for South and Southeast Asia, who participated in the mission. “The trade mission went beyond a series of meetings and site visits; it was an opportunity to participate in high-level meetings between U.S. and Indonesian counterparts to reaffirm the purchase commitments made by Indonesia millers in an effort to balance trade between the two countries.”
Sowers joined U.S. commodity, agribusiness and government representatives for the mission. The U.S. delegation was led by USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg. USDA noted that the trade mission connected U.S. companies with partners in Indonesia’s dynamic market, reinforcing a shared commitment to bringing top-quality U.S. agricultural products to the market.
Notably for wheat producers, U.S. Wheat and California Raisins hosted a baking competition showcasing U.S. agricultural products. The mission included visits to Mayora Indah, Indonesia’s leading biscuit manufacturer and one of the country’s largest Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, and Bogasari, the nation’s largest flour mill.
Sowers pointed out that other Asian markets have shown that, as consumer incomes grow, diets diversify from predominantly rice-based meals toward increased consumption of wheat-based foods. He noted that the high-quality flour milled from U.S. wheat classes has become the industry standard in markets such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines.
“These consumer preferences have strong staying power,” he said. “As consumer incomes grow, they buy higher-quality products. Once those preferences are established, they will not accept anything less.”
Securing Long-Term Trade Commitments and Market Share
The USDA delegation met with the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Indonesian Millers Association, helping reinforce the strength of the U.S.-Indonesia trade partnership. Lindberg expressed appreciation for Indonesian millers fulfilling their 2025 calendar year commitment to purchase a minimum of 800,000 metric tons (MT) (29.4 million bushels) in U.S. origin milling wheat, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in July 2025 between U.S. Wheat and APTINDO, Indonesia’s flour milling association.
From July 2025 to December 2025, Indonesia purchased nearly 833,000 MT (nearly 30.6 million bushels) of U.S. wheat, including U.S. hard red winter (HRW), soft red winter (SRW) and soft white (SW). Starting in the 2026 calendar year, APTINDO committed to purchasing 1 million metric tons (36.7 million bushels) each year for four years.
“At the 1.0 MMT per year commitment, more than 10% of Indonesia’s expanding wheat foods sector will be supplied by U.S. farmers,” Sowers said.
Of note, the MOU is separate from the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between the U.S. government and the Republic of Indonesia, which includes the removal of Indonesian tariffs on 99% of U.S. products, reductions in non-tariff barriers and other measures.
By actively engaging with partners on the ground in Indonesia, USDA and U.S. Wheat are working to strengthen relationships and ensure American farmers remain at the center of reliable, long-term demand in Southeast Asia.
“We appreciate all who participated in the USDA Trade Mission for their leadership and dedication to strengthening long-term U.S.-Indonesia agricultural trade relations,” Sowers said. “With each act of partnership and exchange of ideas, we sow the seeds of a future where U.S. farmers and Indonesian millers flourish side by side.”
Read more from U.S. Wheat here.