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Visit to Indonesia shows trade promise

The vice chair of the Illinois Soybean Association says he’s seen firsthand the potential for American soybean products in Indonesia.

Brady Holst, who farms in western Illinois, says a recently announced trade framework with the country is promising.

“Two weeks ago, I was in Indonesia, and they had just signed a trade agreement with the US. It was good timing. It just happened to be when we were there because we plan those for weeks in advance.”  He says, “But it’s also just a really big market for U.S. soybeans.  They have 275 million people, and they eat soybeans through a product called tempeh, which is made just out of soybeans.”

Indonesia has reportedly agreed to purchase $4.5 billion worth of U.S. ag products, including soybeans, soybean meal, wheat, and cotton, as well as address non-tariff trade barriers.  Holst tells Brownfield Indonesian officials seemed open to bringing down those barriers.

“It can make it easier for us to get U.S. products into Indonesia.”  He says, “They import a lot of whole beans, but the meal market is still pretty small. So, there is a pretty big area that could be grown in the meal market.”

Holst says building relationships through these types of trade missions is key to continuing to grow export demand for U.S. soybeans.

Brownfield spoke with Holst at the 2025 Illinois State Fair.

AUDIO: Brady Holst – Illinois Soybean Association