Indonesia trade boost for Australian farmers

Australian farmers will have tariffs reduced and be able to export more livestock, beef and sheep meat, grains, sugar, dairy, citrus and horticulture produce to Indonesia after the Coalition Government today signed the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). 

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the Coalition Government continued to deliver farmers better access to more markets.  

“This agreement improve access for industries which trade most to Indonesia, including our livestock, beef and sheepmeat, grains, sugar, dairy, citrus and horticulture,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This agreement delivers duty free access for half a million tonnes of feed grains per year.

“Our wheat industry exported $1.3 billion worth of produce to Indonesia in 2016-17 and this will grow that further.

”The agreement will increase duty free access for live male cattle by 4 per cent a year to 700,000 head annually. 

“Tariffs on most lines of beef and sheepmeat will be reduced from 5 to 0 per cent immediately, with all remaining tariffs to be removed after five years. This will help us build on the $261 million that these exports were worth to Australia in 2016-17.

“Our grain farmers will get guaranteed duty free access for 500,000 tonnes of wheat, barely and sorghum grains per year increasing at 5% per year to 775,664 tonnes.

“Tariffs on our sugar cane will drop from as high as 12 per cent to 5 per cent.

“Oranges and limes will get increased duty-free access while dairy, mandarins, potatoes and carrots will get reduced tariffs.”

Minister Littleproud thanked former trade Minister Steve Ciobo for his hard work on this agreement, and also thanked the trade division of the Australian Department of Agriculture.

The conclusion of substantive negotiation of IA-CEPA was signed today in Indonesia by Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.