Indonesia’s wheat consumption grows across sectors

Indonesia is the world’s fourth most-populous country and the largest archipelagic nation on the planet, with over 18,000 islands and islets, of which around 6000 are inhabited. While agriculture is a significant part of the country’s economy, directly supplying food ingredients and providing the main source of employment in rural regions, Indonesia does not produce enough rice to feed its population and imports all of the republic’s wheat requirements. The Indonesian landmass is largely unsuited to wheat production, with other more appropriate crops, such as palm oil offering farmers much higher returns. On the steeper mountainous terrain, of which there is plenty, rice becomes a far more practical option. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil and the third-largest rice producer. The nation’s exploding population, new flour-based food trends, and diet diversification are translating into increased demand for wheat flour, which is music to the ears of the domestic ...