The Indonesian government has clarified that starting in 2026, imports of edible sugar will cease, and only raw sugar for industrial purposes will be allowed. This policy has been incorporated into the 2026 Food Commodity Balance Sheet.
The Deputy Coordinator for Food Distribution and Logistics at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs stated that this policy was finalized during relevant coordination meetings, and the demand for white sugar for edible purposes will be fully met by domestic supply, with no further reliance on imports.
The government-approved import quotas are only for industrial use, including 3,124,394 tons of industrial raw sugar, as well as an additional allocation of 508,360 tons under the **"Export-Oriented Import Facilitation" (KITE KB) special policy**.
He emphasized that the regular industrial sugar import quota and the KITE KB channel quota are two separate systems, and the core purpose of imports is to ensure a stable supply of industrial raw materials and support the development of export industries.
The Acting Director General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry of Industry added that among the imported industrial sugar, 98% of the non-KITE KB channel quota consists of raw sugar, with the remainder being specialty sugar (including a small amount of beet sugar, still primarily raw sugar).
These raw sugars are partially used for non-edible purposes, such as raw materials for seasonings.
Meanwhile, sugar imported through the KITE KB channel comes in two forms: raw sugar that requires further processing in Indonesia, and a small portion of refined sugar.
The Indonesian government has clarified that starting in 2026, imports of edible sugar will cease, and only raw sugar for industrial purposes will be allowed. This policy has been incorporated into the 2026 Food Commodity Balance Sheet.
The Deputy Coordinator for Food Distribution and Logistics at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs stated that this policy was finalized during relevant coordination meetings, and the demand for white sugar for edible purposes will be fully met by domestic supply, with no further reliance on imports.
The government-approved import quotas are only for industrial use, including 3,124,394 tons of industrial raw sugar, as well as an additional allocation of 508,360 tons under the **"Export-Oriented Import Facilitation" (KITE KB) special policy**.
He emphasized that the regular industrial sugar import quota and the KITE KB channel quota are two separate systems, and the core purpose of imports is to ensure a stable supply of industrial raw materials and support the development of export industries.
The Acting Director General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry of Industry added that among the imported industrial sugar, 98% of the non-KITE KB channel quota consists of raw sugar, with the remainder being specialty sugar (including a small amount of beet sugar, still primarily raw sugar).
These raw sugars are partially used for non-edible purposes, such as raw materials for seasonings.
Meanwhile, sugar imported through the KITE KB channel comes in two forms: raw sugar that requires further processing in Indonesia, and a small portion of refined sugar.