Albanese Praises Indonesia as Urea Exports Begin, Prabowo Discusses 250,000-Ton Deal with Australia, Fertilizer Levels Stable Amid Global Supply Tightening

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s initiative to begin exporting urea fertilizer to Australia following a phone conversation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The discussion focused on Indonesia’s approval for the export of 250,000 tonnes of urea fertilizer to Australia in the first phase of the agreement, according to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, who revealed details of the call in a public statement.

Albanese conveyed his appreciation for the President’s approval regarding the export, emphasizing its importance for Australian farmers and regional food security during ongoing global supply chain disruptions.

The deal, facilitated between Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and PT Pupuk Indonesia, secures around 20 percent of the remaining fertilizer needed for the current Australian agricultural season, which runs from November 2025 to October 2026.

Australian officials state that having this additional supply locked in will provide greater certainty for farmers as they make planting and management decisions for the season.

Looking ahead, part of the urea fertilizer will also be exported to India, the Philippines, Thailand, and Brazil, with a total export commitment of approximately 1 million tonnes, as indicated by Indonesian officials.

According to data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country’s total national urea production is 7.8 million tonnes, while domestic demand is around 6.3 million tonnes, allowing for export opportunities without compromising local supply.

The Indonesian government emphasizes that the export policy maintains a balance between domestic supply resilience and strengthening the nation’s contribution to the global market, particularly amid disrupted international distribution routes in the Middle East.

Officials note that Indonesia has stocks available and can export a total of 1 million tonnes of urea this year, supporting both national production capacity and international demand.