Indonesia Imports 229,76 ribu ton of Garlic in First Half of 2026
Indonesia imported 229,76 ribu ton of garlic between January and June 2026, according to data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) cited by detikFinance. This import volume marks an increase from the 178,89 ribu ton recorded during the corresponding period in the previous year. Domestic production currently satisfies only 5% to 10% of local demand, leaving the country heavily reliant on foreign supply chains. China accounts for 98% of these incoming shipments, while India supplies the remaining share, according to the same BPS figures.
Domestic garlic needs are still dependent on imports by 90-95%, according to detikFinance. Kementerian Pertanian data in the 2024 Performance Report shows that garlic production in 2024 reached approximately 39.440 ton, rising slightly compared to the 2023 production of 39.254 ton, Kompasiana reported. Based on the National Food Agency food balance sheet projections updated on September 2, 2025, domestic production was estimated to reach 55.660 ton, while imports reached 621.157 ton. Kementerian Pertanian aims to achieve garlic self-sufficiency under the target set by Prabowo Subianto within the next three years, CNN Indonesia reported.
Two-Track Production Scheme Targets 90 Percent Import Dependence
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alim Setiawan Slamet announced a two-track strategy in Bogor to accelerate domestic garlic production and cut foreign dependence, Indonesian Media reported. The first track focuses on cultivation acceleration through precise site selection, planting calendar formulation, farmer needs mapping, and technical coaching. The second track prioritizes applied research and studies to improve yield quality, input efficiency, and competitiveness. Speaking on October 31, 2026, Alim stated that the initiative requires innovations that are immediately deployable rather than theoretical potential.
The scheme was discussed in a meeting in Bogor on Friday, October 30, emphasizing the need for cross-institutional collaboration to formulate a measurable garlic development program, CNN Indonesia reported. The applied research and studies track targets improving productivity, product quality, input use efficiency, and the competitiveness of garlic commodities, Media Indonesia reported. Supporting policies and regulations also need to be prepared, Alim explained.
Field Realities and Smallholder Training Challenges
Scaling up domestic cultivation requires intensive farming assistance because smallholders are adopting unfamiliar techniques, as reported by detikFinance. Alim noted that designating land alone does not guarantee success without corresponding improvements in technical literacy and proper equipment usage. Additional coverage from CNN Indonesia highlights that systemic pricing anomalies often see farmers facing falling prices during high-yield periods while consumer costs remain elevated. Consequently, the Ministry of Agriculture is pushing for structured agribusiness ecosystems, clear partnerships, and regulatory backing to secure farmers’ profit margins.
Improved agricultural product quality, supply consistency, quality standard fulfillment, and product processing are vital factors for Indonesian agricultural commodities to hold competitiveness in international markets, CNN Indonesia reported. Alim emphasized that cultivation enhancement, literacy improvement, and the mastery of appropriate technology become very important, Media Indonesia reported.
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