The government has officially imposed an import ban on 12 food and non-food commodities as stipulated in Minister of Trade Regulation No. 47 of 2025. The twelve commodities include sugar, rice, ozone-depleting substances, used bags, used sacks, used clothing, fire-extinguishing equipment based on cooling systems, cooling-system-based equipment other than fire extinguishers, and cooling-system-based electronics.
However, data on whether domestic demand for these commodities can be adequately met has yet to be clearly established. Another crucial factor that must be considered is the distribution process to ensure equitable access and prevent disparities.
Professor Subejo of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Agriculture UGM), assessed that the ban on these 12 commodities is expected to help revive domestic industries.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that implementation must be accompanied by accurate data to ensure that demand and supply are sufficient.
Professor Subejo argued that the government must guarantee the domestic availability of these commodities, particularly food supplies. Otherwise, shortages could trigger economic instability and food price spikes.
“Price surges may occur if domestic production cannot meet demand. Therefore, it is important to have alternative options in place in case of emergencies such as crop failures and other disruptions,” he said on Wednesday (Jan. 14).
Beyond the production side, Subejo noted that mitigation strategies can be prepared through proper monitoring of production systems and commodity distribution.
Accordingly, the government needs to strengthen efficient logistics systems to ensure that goods can reach all regions quickly and effectively.
“Even if the quantity is sufficient, poor distribution systems can still become a serious problem,” he remarked.
Regarding non-food commodities such as used clothing, which are also included in the import ban list, Professor Subejo pointed out existing weaknesses in oversight mechanisms.
He stressed the need to strengthen effective monitoring systems for the inflow and outflow of goods.
“If supervision at ports is inadequate, for example, smuggling and the entry of illegal goods may occur, which would certainly cause disruptions,” he explained.
Professor Subejo acknowledged that monitoring ports for illegally imported goods is not an easy task, given Indonesia’s vast archipelagic geography.
“This is indeed complicated because Indonesia is huge. Sometimes goods can pass through small islands that are not intensively monitored, making such practices possible,” he elaborated.
To maintain a balance between domestic protection and international trade commitments, Professor Subejo believes the government must carefully weigh the risks of banning imports of the 12 food and non-food commodities.
This is because Indonesia is not yet fully capable of meeting domestic demand for certain products, such as wheat and subtropical fruits.
“If Indonesia refuses to accept imports, then Indonesian palm oil and rubber may also be barred from export. Therefore, international negotiations are necessary so that all parties can understand that for certain commodities, domestic supply is sufficient,” he continued.
As for indicators of whether the import ban policy is successful, Professor Subejo identified two key measures: production levels and market prices of the commodities.
Monitoring commodity prices, he added, is a particularly crucial indicator.
“The basic law of economics is simple: if supply is insufficient and demand increases, prices will inevitably rise,” he concluded.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik