The Indonesian Ministry of Trade has announced the successful establishment of a strategic partnership for distributing Indonesian tempeh to the Chilean market, valued at $125,000, or 2.1 billion rupiah. The agreement was signed between Indonesian company PT Azaki Food International and Chilean company OM SpA at the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center in Santiago on Wednesday, April 1.
According to Vajarin Puntoduwi, the Director General for National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade, this partnership represents a significant step in enhancing Indonesia's exports to Chile, reflecting the benefits of the Indonesia-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IC-CEPA) in boosting trade.
Details of the Agreement
This agreement is part of Indonesia's efforts to strengthen its presence in global markets, facilitated by the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center in Santiago. The aim of the agreement is to open new horizons for distributing tempeh, which is considered a healthy plant-based food, in the Chilean market, contributing to increased nutritional awareness in the region.
Indah Fajarwati Bakhtiar, head of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center in Santiago, confirmed that the entry of tempeh into the Chilean market will occur in multiple phases, initially focusing on enhancing distribution and raising product awareness, with the potential to expand to other Latin American countries in the future.
Background & Context
Indonesia is one of the largest producers of tempeh in the world, a traditional food product based on fermented soybeans. With the growing global demand for healthy foods, including plant-based options, tempeh presents a significant opportunity for Indonesia to expand its exports. In 2025, total trade between Indonesia and Chile reached approximately $535.5 million, reflecting the growing trade relations between the two countries.
It is noteworthy that Chile imports food products worth over $8 billion annually, opening avenues for Indonesia to expand its exports in this promising market.
Impact & Consequences
This partnership is a strategic step towards enhancing trade relations between Indonesia and Latin America. The success of tempeh in the Chilean market could open doors for more Indonesian products to enter Latin American markets. Furthermore, this agreement reflects the increasing trend towards healthy foods, enhancing Indonesia's position as a major source of plant-based foods.
Moreover, this partnership may encourage other Indonesian companies to explore export opportunities to Chile and other Latin American countries, contributing to the strengthening of the national economy.
Regional Significance
While Indonesia focuses on boosting its exports to Chile, this development could serve as a model for Arab countries seeking to enhance their food exports to global markets. Arab nations can benefit from Indonesian experiences in developing healthy food products and expanding their export range.
In conclusion, the entry of Indonesian tempeh into the Chilean market represents an important step towards enhancing international trade and reflects the significance of innovation in developing healthy food products.