In an exciting win for U.S. wheat farmer investment in checkoff programs, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with APTINDO, Indonesia’s flour milling association, to purchase 1 million metric tons (36.7 million bushels) of U.S. wheat annually over the next five years.
Indonesia, already one of the world’s top wheat importers, has increased domestic wheat consumption by 22% over the past decade with no signs of slowing down. Previously importing around 500,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat per year, APTINDO will now increase purchases to 800,000 metric tons in 2025 and scale up by 25% annually through 2030. The agreement amounts to $250 million per year in U.S. wheat purchases.
“The administration has encouraged trading partners to buy additional U.S. agricultural products. The commitment of the Indonesian milling industry to purchase U.S. wheat reflects this increased focus by the Indonesian government to improve the trade balance with the United States,” said USW President and CEO Mike Spier. “The collaboration between the U.S. wheat industry and APTINDO reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality U.S. wheat and supporting continued growth in Indonesia’s milling sector.”
This agreement follows a breakthrough in trade policy led by U.S. Wheat Associates staff. In 2023, Indonesia imposed strict fumigation rules on U.S. wheat, creating a major hurdle for exporters. After 18 months of coordination, USDA and Indonesia’s Quarantine Agency resolved the issue in June 2025, adjusting sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements to maintain market access and protect demand.
“In today’s challenging economic environment, providing a return on the investment of farmer dollars is essential,” said Texas Wheat Executive Director Steelee Fischbacher. “The farmer leaders and experienced staff at U.S. Wheat Associates are unmatched in their dedication to building new export opportunities for U.S. farmers and that is clear in this latest success story in Indonesia.”
