KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian Ministry of Trade is actively pursuing an expansion of trade cooperation with Canada, specifically offering to boost exports of Indonesian tropical fruits, leveraging the momentum from the signing of the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).

Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, Director General of International Trade Negotiations at the Ministry, highlighted the complementary nature of the two nations' commodities at the Canada–In-Asia: Momentum Jakarta event on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He specifically pointed to horticulture as an area ripe for mutual benefit.

"I see a lot of potential in the horticulture sector for our cooperation. We have a number of tropical fruits that we can export to the Canadian market, such as, as I mentioned earlier, mango, young mango, jackfruit, dragon fruit, and salak," he said, as quoted by Antara.

Djatmiko emphasized that enhanced cooperation in horticulture would be highly advantageous for both countries because their product offerings are complementary: Canada can export horticultural products that cannot grow in Indonesia, such as apples, grapes, and kiwi, while Indonesia can export its exotic tropical fruits to the Canadian market.

"So, I think we can also focus on this figure. Although the market may be limited at the moment, there is huge potential to develop it to the fullest extent in this region," he added.

While Indonesia has already exported tropical fruits to several countries, the Canadian market remains largely untapped. The Ministry is committed to seizing the momentum of the ICA-CEPA signing last September to expand Indonesia's market presence.

"We must encourage this, we must utilize it, because it will definitely receive facilities from this CEPA. Since they do not produce [these tropical fruits], they will be given a very, very low tariff, even zero," Djatmiko explained.

In response, Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia, Jess Dutton, confirmed that Canada is keen on developing cooperation in agriculture and agrifood products with Indonesia.

Canada has demonstrated this commitment by establishing the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agrifood Office (IPAAO) in the Philippines, aiming to expand agrifood cooperation, with Indonesia as one of its pillars.

Indonesia is already a key partner for Canada in the agrifood sector. In 2024, Canada exported over USD 1.2 billion (IDR 20 trillion) worth of agrifood and seafood products to Indonesia.

"Canada and Indonesia have a strong and growing partnership in the agriculture and food security sectors. Canada values this partnership and our shared commitment to enhancing agricultural cooperation," Dutton said. ***