1MG FlippingBooks
Aussie farmers big winners in Indonesia trade deal
Website Editor
The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) was signed in Jakarta today by Trade Minister Simon Birmingham and his Indonesian counterpart Enggartiasto Lukita, delivering major benefits for Australian farmers.
The deal will see an increase in Australian exports of livestock, beef and sheep meat, grains, sugar, dairy and citrus to Indonesia, already our fourth-largest agricultural export market – worth $3.35 billion in 2017.
To summarise the benefits for Australian farmers:
- All tariffs on beef and sheep meat will be eliminated over the next five years, with most eliminated immediately. The first 575,000 head of live male cattle exported are now duty free, with this number growing to 700,000 over six years
- Sugar tariffs will be reduced from 12 per cent to five per cent
- The first 500,000 tonnes of grains exported will be duty free and that will increase by five per cent per year
- The five per cent tariff on milk, cream and grated or powdered cheese will be eliminated immediately
- Duty free quotas will be introduced for citrus and horticultural products, with tariff relief on fresh vegetable exports representing an extra $5 million to $10 million annually for Australian growers
- Preferential deals will be put in place or duty removed on 99 per cent of exports to Indonesia
On top of this, the work and holiday visa allocation for Indonesians will increase from 1,000 to 5,000 annually, in a boost for Australian producers looking to secure seasonal workers.
National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) CEO Tony Mahar accompanied Minister Birmingham on the trip and praised the signing of the agreement as a tangible benefit to the hip pockets of Australian farmers.
“Indonesia is the world’s biggest importer of Australian wheat and Australia is Indonesia’s largest supplier of red meat,” said Mahar. “Australian dairy products and sugar are also highly valued by our neighbour.
"In many instances, IA-CEPA will strengthen Australia’s role as the preferred supplier to the burgeoning south-east Asian economy.”
NEWS
In good news for mango lovers, new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has identified a way to extend the storage life of the popular tropical fruit.
A grower focused event exploring practical science for stronger crops. Keynote speaker is Dr David Marks, Managing Director of Levity Crop Science. Wednesday, 13th August 2025.
Technical improvements have made locally engineered Draper Pickup Front the 'only one to buy'.
Central Steel Build is a leader in the design and construction of bespoke steel structures for agriculture and beyond. With 50 years of experience and a long list of pioneering achievements, it customises locally made, durable sheds for both on-farm use and across the agricultural supply chain, supporting clients from paddock to port. 
CEA, a leading provider of equipment to the agriculture, construction, mining, earthmoving, infrastructure, defence, waste management, mining, and recycling sectors, is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its business to include two new branch locations in Central Queensland: Rockhampton and Mackay (formerly Terrequipe). This strategic move emphasises CEA's unwavering commitment to growth while reinforcing its
Nature is still too complex for artificial intelligence (AI) modelling to be effective, but the tipping point is close, according to a new study that found the technology may still trip at the last real-world hurdle.
