Top Sugar Importers in Indonesia 2026
Why Indonesia Matters for Brazilian Sugar Exporters
Indonesia imports around 4.5–5.5M MT of raw sugar annually — the largest volume of any country in the world. Domestic production sits at roughly 2.2–2.5M MT, while total consumption (household plus industrial) is around 6.5–7M MT, leaving a structural gap that is filled almost entirely by imports. Brazil is the dominant supplier of VHP raw cane sugar to Indonesian refiners.
Indonesia runs two parallel product streams. Refiners import raw sugar — locally called gula kristal mentah (GKM) — and turn it into refined sugar for industry, gula kristal rafinasi (GKR). Separately, plantation white sugar, gula kristal putih (GKP), serves the household market. The industrial refining stream is where Brazilian VHP raw sugar fits, supplying beverage, food processing and confectionery manufacturers across the archipelago.
"Indonesia's refining capacity has made it the single largest destination for raw cane sugar globally, with Brazil as the cornerstone origin." — Sugar Trade Intelligence Review, 2025
Top Sugar Refiners and Importers in Indonesia
PT Angels Products
RefineryOne of Indonesia's pioneering sugar refiners and a long-standing member of AGRI (Asosiasi Gula Rafinasi Indonesia). PT Angels Products imports raw VHP cane sugar and refines it into industrial-grade refined sugar for the domestic food and beverage sector. A consistent buyer of Brazilian VHP raw sugar.
PT Jawamanis Rafinasi
RefineryA major Indonesian sugar refinery based in Banten, processing imported raw sugar into refined sugar (GKR) for industrial customers. Operates near the Cigading port complex, giving it efficient access to bulk raw sugar cargoes from Brazil and other origins.
PT Sentratama Niaga Indonesia
RefineryAn AGRI-member refiner supplying refined sugar to Indonesia's industrial market. Imports raw cane sugar under Kemendag allocations and refines it to ICUMSA 45 specification, with Brazil a key VHP raw sugar origin.
PT Duta Sugar International
RefineryA well-established sugar refinery serving food and beverage manufacturers across Java. Duta Sugar imports raw VHP sugar and produces refined sugar for industrial use, sourcing significant volumes from Brazilian exporters.
PT Makassar Tene
RefineryA leading refiner in eastern Indonesia based near Makassar, supplying refined sugar to the region's growing industrial demand. Its location at Makassar port supports direct imports of raw cane sugar, including Brazilian VHP.
PT Permata Dunia Sukses Utama
Refinery (Wilmar)Part of the Wilmar group, one of Asia's largest agribusiness players. PDSU operates a large refinery importing raw VHP sugar at scale and refining it for Indonesia's industrial buyers. Wilmar's global trading network gives it direct access to Brazilian supply.
PT Sugar Group Companies
Integrated ProducerA major integrated sugar producer in Lampung with both plantation and refining operations. While it produces domestic plantation white sugar (GKP), it also participates in the refined sugar market and is a significant national player.
PT Andalan Furnindo
RefineryAn AGRI-member sugar refiner producing refined sugar (GKR) for Indonesia's industrial sector. Imports raw cane sugar under government allocations, with Brazil a primary source of VHP raw sugar.
PT Berkah Manis Makmur
RefineryA modern sugar refinery supplying refined sugar to beverage, food and confectionery manufacturers. Sources imported raw VHP cane sugar, refining it to ICUMSA 45, with Brazilian origin featuring prominently in its supply mix.
PT Kebun Tebu Mas
RefineryA large refinery in East Java with substantial refining capacity. Kebun Tebu Mas imports raw cane sugar and produces refined sugar for the industrial market, drawing on Brazilian VHP raw sugar among other origins.
PT Medan Sugar Industry
RefineryA sugar refiner based in North Sumatra near Belawan port (Medan), serving industrial customers in western Indonesia. Imports raw VHP sugar through Belawan and refines it for food and beverage clients.
Indonesia Sugar Import Overview — Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual raw sugar imports | ~4.5–5.5M MT (largest in the world) |
| Domestic production | ~2.2–2.5M MT |
| Total consumption | ~6.5–7M MT |
| Main imported grade | Raw VHP (ICUMSA 600–1200) |
| Main origin | Brazil |
| Key ports | Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Perak, Cigading |
| Regulator | Kemendag (import permits/quotas) |
How to Connect with Indonesian Sugar Buyers
Selling raw VHP sugar into Indonesia means understanding both the refiners and the permit system that governs imports. Here is what works in 2026:
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1Target licensed refiners directlyOnly refiners holding Kemendag import allocations can buy raw sugar. The right contact is the Procurement Manager, Raw Material Buyer or Trading Manager at an AGRI-member refinery — not a general info@ address.
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2Lead with VHP raw sugar specificationsIndonesian refiners buy raw VHP, not refined. Always quote ICUMSA (typically 600–1200), polarisation, moisture, and FOB/CIF pricing from Brazilian ports such as Santos or Paranaguá.
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3Understand the permit and quota systemImports are governed by allocations the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) issues with recommendations from the Ministry of Industry. Timing your offers to the allocation cycle is critical, as refiners can only contract within their granted volumes.
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4Reference Indonesian port logisticsBuyers value suppliers who understand discharge at Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Perak, Cigading, Makassar or Belawan, plus documentation and typical 30–40 day transit times from Brazil.
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5Use a verified lead platformPlatforms like Braziltrad provide verified procurement contacts at Indonesian sugar refiners, including direct email and WhatsApp details — removing the gatekeeping problem.
Raw Sugar Grades and Specifications for Indonesia
Unlike re-export hubs that buy finished ICUMSA 45, Indonesian refiners import raw VHP (Very High Polarisation) cane sugar with ICUMSA colour typically in the 600–1200 range, then refine it down to ICUMSA 45 white sugar (GKR) domestically. Brazil is the world's largest producer of VHP raw sugar, making Brazilian origin the benchmark in Indonesian procurement.
Key specifications Indonesian refiners typically request:
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product | Raw VHP cane sugar (GKM) |
| ICUMSA | 600–1200 (for refining) |
| Polarisation | 99.40° minimum (VHP) |
| Refined output | ICUMSA 45 (GKR) |
| Origin | Brazil (dominant), Thailand, Australia, India |
| Packaging | Bulk vessel cargo |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Indonesia the world's largest raw sugar importer?
Domestic production (~2.2–2.5M MT) falls far short of total consumption (~6.5–7M MT), and Indonesia's large refining industry needs raw VHP sugar to produce refined sugar (GKR) for industry. This combination makes it the single biggest raw sugar import market on earth, at ~4.5–5.5M MT per year.
What type of sugar does Indonesia import from Brazil?
Indonesia imports raw VHP (Very High Polarisation) cane sugar, locally called gula kristal mentah (GKM), with ICUMSA typically 600–1200. Refiners then process it into refined ICUMSA 45 sugar (GKR). Brazil is the dominant origin for this raw VHP sugar.
How are sugar imports regulated in Indonesia?
The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) issues import permits and quota allocations, with recommendations from the Ministry of Industry. These allocations go to licensed refiners, who can only contract raw sugar within their granted volumes.
What is the transit time from Brazil to Indonesia?
Typical transit from Santos or Paranaguá (Brazil) to Indonesian ports such as Tanjung Priok or Tanjung Perak is around 30–40 days by sea, depending on routing and vessel schedule.