China, Indonesia's Largest Importer of Fertilizer in 2023

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia imported approximately 5.37 million tons of fertilizer in 2023. This volume decreased by 16.29% year-on-year (yoy) compared to 2022, which reached 6.41 million tons.

In 2023, the largest fertilizer imports originated from China, with a volume of 1.15 million tons, or 21.39% of total imports. This was followed by Russia and Canada, which supplied 1.08 million tons and 625,200 tons respectively.

The complete list of countries of origin for fertilizer imports to Indonesia in 2023 is as follows:

1. China: 1.15 million tons
2. Russia: 1.08 million tons
3. Canada: 625,200 tons
4. Egypt: 486,600 tons
5. Australia: 368,800 tons
6. Jordan: 360,600 tons
7. Laos: 193,400 tons
8. Vietnam: 146,800 tons
9. Belarus: 144,800 tons
10. Norway: 106,400 tons
11. Germany: 50,500 tons
12. Malaysia: 46,800 tons
13. Taiwan: 45,100 tons
14. Other countries: 567,200 tons

Earlier this year, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated an ammonium nitrate plant in Bontang, East Kalimantan, to support national fertilizer production. Jokowi stated that this plant will reduce reliance on ammonium nitrate imports, a key component in NPK fertilizer production. He noted that 21% of Indonesia's ammonium nitrate was still imported, and this plant would reduce that figure by 8%, leaving 13% still reliant on imports. The plant, owned by PT Kaltim Amonium Nitrat—a joint venture between PT Pupuk Kaltim and PT Dahana—is projected to produce 75,000 metric tons of ammonium nitrate per year.

(See: Urea Fertilizer Prices Increased in February 2024)