Fruit, vegetable and tempeh snack products sell Rp510 million in Cili, market penetration in destination countries via retail networks

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 AUGUST 2026 —

Indonesian SMEs Secure RM2.3 Billion Deal in Chile with Fruit, Vegetable Snacks and Tempeh Products

The shipment, dispatched in mid-August 2026, is expected to arrive in Chile by October 2026 and will be distributed through the retail network of Cencosud Retail S.A., one of the region’s largest supermarket chains. The order was facilitated by Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade through its Santiago-based trade promotion arm, the Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Chile.

The participating SMEs are CV Pangantama Makmur Abadi, which supplied mango, apple, jackfruit, broccoli, and mushroom chips, and CV Arva Indonesia, which provided tempeh snacks in truffle, honey butter, and Himalayan salt basil variants. Both are classified as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Background: Rising MSME Export Push into Latin America

Indonesia has been actively promoting its processed food products in overseas markets, particularly in Latin America, through trade fairs such as Espacio Food & Service, held annually in Santiago. The latest transaction follows participation by Indonesian companies in the 2025 edition of the event, where business-to-business (B2B) networking was intensified with Chilean buyers.

According to Fajarini Puntodewi, Director General of National Export Development at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, this export success reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to diversify export markets and support MSMEs in accessing global value chains. “This transaction could pave the way for long-term cooperation with Chilean buyers,” she said in a statement. “It aligns with our strategy to boost non-oil and gas exports through trade promotion, market exploration, exhibition facilitation, and business communication support.”

Puntodewi added that if the products receive positive market reception, the two SMEs could secure additional orders worth up to USD29,000, potentially doubling their initial export value.

Market Impact: Chile as a Gateway to Latin America

Chile is emerging as a strategic export destination for Indonesian food products due to its growing middle class, high demand for healthy snacks, and strong retail infrastructure. The country’s retail sector, dominated by chains like Cencosud (which operates the Jumbo and Santa Isabel brands), provides a reliable distribution channel for imported goods.

Trade data shows that Indonesia’s trade surplus with Chile has been expanding. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade reached USD277.4 million, with Indonesian exports totaling USD219.8 million and imports from Chile at USD57.6 million, resulting in a surplus of USD162.2 million. For the full year 2025, total trade was USD534.9 million, with Indonesia exporting USD440.8 million worth of goods—primarily vehicles, footwear, fertilizers, machinery, and paper products—and importing USD94 million, mainly seafood, wood pulp, and fruits.

The successful shipment of processed snacks—valued-added products with higher margins—signals potential for similar exports from Indonesia’s food processing sector, which has seen steady growth in recent years.

Sector and Company Specifics

CV Pangantama Makmur Abadi, led by founder Irene Hartanto, specializes in fruit and vegetable chips made from locally sourced ingredients. The company’s participation in Espacio Food & Service 2025 and subsequent follow-up engagements through ITPC Santiago enabled the deal with Cencosud.

Meanwhile, CV Arva Indonesia focuses on tempeh-based snacks, a traditional Indonesian fermented soy product gaining popularity globally as a plant-based protein option. Both companies are supported by the Ministry of Trade’s export facilitation programs, including export training, packaging guidance, and compliance assistance.

In a separate development, ITPC Santiago also facilitated a business matching session on July 29, 2026, between PT Mega Inovasi Organik and Chilean importer Agro Imagina. The meeting explored potential exports of Indonesian spices, with Agro Imagina indicating interest in purchasing one 20-foot container (about USD70,000) of spices by the end of 2026. PT Mega Inovasi Organik is slated to represent Indonesia at Espacio Food & Service 2026, scheduled for September 29 to October 1, 2026.

ITPC Santiago will continue to monitor the shipment process, import requirements, and market reception in Chile to ensure smooth market entry and potential scale-up.

Outlook: Sustaining Export Momentum

The successful transaction underscores the growing competitiveness of Indonesian processed food products in niche markets like Chile. With continued government support through trade promotion centers and participation in international exhibitions, more Indonesian MSMEs are expected to explore and penetrate Latin American markets.

Analysts view this as part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on traditional export markets and tap into high-growth regions. The Ministry of Trade has emphasized that sustained export growth will depend on product quality, compliance with international standards, and strong after-sales support.

For Malaysian stakeholders, this development highlights the intensifying competition in the global processed food sector, particularly in premium and health-conscious snack categories. It also signals opportunities for Malaysian importers and distributors to collaborate with Indonesian exporters in serving the Latin American market.

Details on future shipments and buyer feedback are not yet available.