President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed that several nations have submitted requests to import urea fertilizer from Indonesia. This information was relayed to him by Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, underscoring Indonesia’s growing role in the global agricultural supply chain.
“We are not euphoric, nor are we arrogant. We are now in a position to offer assistance. Australia has asked for help, as have the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, and Brazil. I have given the order to assist them all,” President Prabowo stated during the inauguration of the Ibu Marsinah Museum and halfway house in Nganjuk, East Java. His remarks were monitored online via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Saturday, May 16.
Prabowo revealed that Indonesia has already supplied 500,000 tons of urea fertilizer to Australia. The surge in demand from other countries, according to the President, is a direct consequence of the ongoing Middle East conflict. The hostilities, which began in late February, have severely impacted global trade by closing access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for 20% of the world’s energy commodities.
The closure of this vital strait has created significant difficulties for many nations worldwide. “This means fertilizer supplies are affected because they are derived from oil and gas. Urea fertilizer, in particular, is in high demand,” he elaborated, highlighting the intricate link between geopolitical events and agricultural essentials.
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Beyond fertilizers, the head of state also noted that Indonesian-produced rice is increasingly attracting interest from other countries. He emphasized that many nations are currently looking to purchase Indonesian rice, a testament to the nation’s agricultural prowess.
“Imagine if we were not self-sufficient, if we hadn’t promptly addressed our agricultural issues,” he remarked, underscoring the strategic importance of a robust domestic agricultural sector.
Domestic Fertilizer Stock Secure
Amidst escalating export demands and dynamic global supply conditions, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) has affirmed the sustained resilience of the national fertilizer raw material supply. A key strategy involves fortifying raw material buffers through enhanced domestic production capacities, including contributions from Petrokimia Gresik and diversified alternative sources.
Rahmad Pribadi, President Director of Pupuk Indonesia, confirmed that the current national fertilizer stock levels are secure and fully meet the needs of farmers. As of April 23, 2026, the recorded fertilizer stock stood at approximately 1.19 million tons.
This robust inventory is supported by stable daily production, reaching around 25,000 tons per day for urea and 15,000 tons per day for NPK. “From the perspective of availability, national fertilizer stocks are at a safe and sufficient level to cover farmers’ needs,” Rahmad told Katadata.co.id on Tuesday, April 28.
He further clarified that the national urea production target for 2026 is approximately 7.8 million tons, while domestic requirements are estimated at about 6.3 million tons. This substantial production surplus provides Indonesia with ample capacity to respond effectively to rising global demand.
Despite the high international interest, Rahmad firmly asserted that elevated export requests would not compromise domestic fertilizer availability. In line with government directives, exports are conducted selectively and judiciously, only after domestic needs have been fully met. “The supply of fertilizer for our farmers remains the utmost priority,” he concluded, reinforcing the commitment to national food security.
Summary
President Prabowo Subianto confirmed that several nations, including the Philippines and Brazil, have requested to import Indonesian urea fertilizer, with 500,000 tons already supplied to Australia. This surge in global demand is primarily linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has disrupted trade routes and impacted oil and gas supplies crucial for fertilizer production. Indonesia is also experiencing increased international interest in its domestically produced rice.
Despite the high international demand, PT Pupuk Indonesia affirms that national fertilizer stocks are secure, with 1.19 million tons available as of April 2026. Indonesia’s projected urea production of 7.8 million tons for 2026 significantly exceeds the 6.3 million tons required domestically. The government prioritizes national food security, ensuring domestic needs are fully met before any selective exports are conducted.
