Indonesia tightens wheat import requirements: inspection of Ukrainian grain may take up to five days
Indonesia has tightened its phytosanitary requirements for wheat imports, which may extend inspections of Ukrainian export shipments to up to five days, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, Vadym Chaikovskyi, said during AGRO UKRAINE WEEK, Elevatorist.com reports.
According to him, the new rules require mandatory testing of grain for specific bacterial diseases. Previously, such analyses were conducted using PCR and ELISA methods and took one to two days. However, the absence of the required testing systems has now created a challenge.
“We are actively searching for a solution, and currently the only method available for testing products destined for Indonesia is the biological method. Previously, analyses for fungal and bacterial diseases could be completed within one to two days. Now we are limited to the biological method, which increases the testing period to approximately five days,” Chaikovskyi said.
In addition, Indonesia has introduced new grain fumigation requirements. In particular, imported wheat must now be treated with phosphine at higher dosage rates.
The State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection noted that representatives of Ukraine’s phytosanitary sector have expressed concerns about the safety of these standards. According to experts, improper application of elevated phosphine doses could pose risks to grain cargoes.
In response, the Ukrainian side has approached Indonesia through diplomatic channels, proposing a review of the current requirements and consideration of alternative grain disinfestation methods, including the use of recirculation technology.
Consultations are currently ongoing, and Ukraine is awaiting an official response from the Indonesian authorities.
According to Chaikovskyi, Indonesia remains one of the key export markets for Ukrainian wheat, making the resolution of the new phytosanitary requirements important for the continuation of exports.
In January-December 2025, Indonesia imported 1.5 mln tons of Ukrainian wheat, which made the country the third-largest importer after Egypt and Algeria.
