Between August 30 and September 6, Indonesian authorities conducted an audit in Chile as part of the process to advance the opening of that market to Chilean meat. With 283 million inhabitants, a young population, growing tourism, and pork consumption that could increase by more than 30% over the next decade, the country represents an alternative for diversifying exports and strengthening Chile’s presence in Southeast Asia.
Access to new markets begins long before a product reaches consumers’ tables. In the case of meat, one of the first steps is demonstrating that behind each shipment there is a system capable of guaranteeing its sanitary condition, safety, and traceability. That is precisely the path Chile is taking with Indonesia.
Between August 30 and September 6, Indonesian authorities conducted an audit in Chile to gain firsthand knowledge of the systems, processes, and controls that support the production and export of Chilean meat. The visit involved intensive technical work and coordination among the various stakeholders, aimed at presenting the sanitary and food safety standards under which the sector operates.
To make this visit a reality, extensive prior coordination and preparation were necessary, in which ChileCarne played a central role. The association coordinated the various stages of the visit, from planning and coordinating the Indonesian delegation’s trip to preparing the agenda and each of the on-site visits. This work was carried out jointly with the Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), the Chilean Agricultural Attaché in Indonesia, and the member companies that participated in the audit.
In this way, Indonesian authorities were able to learn firsthand about the processes and controls that support the production and export of Chilean meat, as well as the work behind each of the links that make up this system.
The audit represents a further step in the process of opening up to Chilean health regulations and underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between the private sector and government authorities to develop new export opportunities. At the same time, it allowed the Indonesian delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the Chilean system and the mechanisms that ensure the safety and quality of its products.
Indonesia: a large market with room to grow
The opportunity lies in the market’s own characteristics. Indonesia is the most populous country in Southeast Asia, with approximately 283 million inhabitants, and has a young population: 56% are under 35 years old. This, coupled with growing tourism and gastronomy, is contributing to expanding and diversifying the demand for food and animal protein.
The country received 13.9 million international visitors in 2024, primarily from markets such as China, Japan, Australia, Singapore, the United States, and various European countries. This activity is especially relevant for the meat sector in tourist destinations with a greater presence of non-Muslim consumers and an international culinary scene.
The composition of the population is also a relevant element for understanding the market. Approximately 87% of Indonesia’s inhabitants are Muslim and, for religious reasons, do not consume pork. This means that the pork market has a more limited scope, but at the same time, it concentrates opportunities in specific segments and territories. Around 37 million people comprise the non-Muslim population, in addition to the demand linked to tourism, the hotel industry, and restaurants.
It is precisely in these spaces where a scenario of greater interest for international suppliers begins to emerge.
Pork consumption could grow by more than 30%
Although meat consumption in Indonesia is still relatively low compared to other markets, there are conditions that could boost its growth in the coming years. Urbanization, a young population, the development of the middle class, and the expansion of tourism and international cuisine are creating new opportunities for protein consumption, particularly among segments of the population that already include pork in their diets.
Currently, total meat consumption is around 11 to 12 kilos per capita per year. Chicken accounts for more than 60% of that consumption, while beef exceeds 26% and pork reaches approximately 9%.
In the case of pork, projections also point to a growth scenario. In 2024, consumption reached approximately 269,900 tons, equivalent to 0.95 kilos per capita. According to projections based on OECD-FAO data, this figure could increase by more than 31% between 2023 and 2033, approaching 355,000 tons.
The expected increase is not only relevant because of the potential size of the demand. It also gains interest when observing how foreign trade is evolving.
Indonesia maintains a high level of self-sufficiency, close to 97%-98%, so external purchases currently represent less than 3% of its domestic consumption. However, imports of meat and pork products reached 7,527 tons in 2024, 51.5% more than the previous year and 253.5% above the volume recorded in 2020.
While it remains a limited market for international suppliers, the increase in imports shows that there is room for products from abroad. In particular, chilled and frozen meats account for the majority of purchases, creating opportunities for suppliers who can meet the needs of importers, distributors, processors, and the HORECA channel (hotels, restaurants, and catering).
Diversify destinations to continue growing
For Chile, a potential reopening of its markets due to health concerns would not necessarily mean competing for a mass market from the outset. The opportunity lies in identifying those segments where the characteristics of Chilean products, food safety, and continuity of supply can make a difference.
Bali and other areas with a larger non-Muslim population, communities of Chinese origin, and intense tourism activity are among the areas with potential. The expansion of the hotel industry, international restaurants, and other tourism-related sectors also contributes to generating more diverse demand, especially for products that are not part of the Muslim majority diet.
In addition, there is a trade advantage. Chile and Indonesia have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in effect since 2019, which establishes preferential tariff conditions. In the case of pork, the main product lines fall under a tariff reduction plan that includes a gradual decrease from the current 3.5% in 2026 to 2.5% in 2029.
In this way, the health advancement takes on a significance that goes beyond simply opening a new market. For an export sector like Chile’s, accessing new markets allows for expanding sales options, diversifying risks, and strengthening the country’s presence in regions where protein consumption continues to grow.
The audit conducted in Chile marks a new milestone in this process. The challenge now is to continue advancing the necessary technical work to finalize the sanitary approval and, consequently, add Indonesia to the map of destinations for Chilean pork and chicken.
