Imported Eggs on School Children's Tables, KADIN-China Cooperation Plan in the MBG Program

Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Chairman Anindya Bakrie presented a souvenir to Beijing Egg Association President Wang Zhongqiang during the Strategic Audience on Orchestrating the Chinese Agrotechnology Ecosystem to Strengthen the MBG Supply Chain for the Sumatra Corridor, held at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Tower, Jakarta, April 21, 2026. 

 The collaboration between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and Chinese entrepreneurs to supply chicken eggs for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program has sparked a wave of criticism. Amid claims of supply chain strengthening and global collaboration, concerns have arisen that this move actually opens the door to foreign domination in the food sector, which has previously been relatively independent. 

 Kadin Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie emphasized that Indonesia-China cooperation has expanded widely, even extending to strategic sectors such as the laying hen industry. However, this expansion is a sensitive point because it touches on basic community needs. "In our calculations, this program requires 24 million eggs per day or more than 700 million eggs per month nationally," said Anindya in a business meeting session with a group of Chinese egg industry entrepreneurs at the Kadin Tower, Jakarta, Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Anindya cited the example of the need for food supplies for the MBG (Nutritional Group) in Aceh Province. According to calculations by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), which also has MBG kitchens throughout Indonesia, at least 600,000 eggs are needed per day for the MBG kitchens in Aceh.

"The Indonesian President sees this as a priority project, with 30,000 kitchens, and KADIN plans to be involved in 1,000 of the 30,000 kitchens, using our own resources," he emphasized.

Eroding Local Farmers in Our Own Country

Indonesia is not a country with an egg shortage. Domestic production has been able to meet national demand, and even often experiences a surplus, depressing prices at the farmer level. Under such conditions, the inclusion of foreign business partners raises significant questions.

The MBG program does require a large supply—around 700 million eggs per month. However, involving external parties in meeting this need has the potential to marginalize local businesses that have partnered with the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

 

Small and medium-sized farmers face the risk of losing market share if large contracts are transferred to new partners through international collaborations. With the support of capital, technology, and global networks, foreign entrepreneurs have advantages that local players will find difficult to match.

If this situation is left unchecked, what will occur will not be mere competition, but rather a shift in market structure. Local farmers could be gradually pushed out, while the national food supply chain begins to be dominated by external interests.

China's Expansion from Infrastructure to Food

This collaboration also reflects China's increasingly broad economic expansion. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, China has long established influence in various strategic sectors in Indonesia, from infrastructure to energy.

Now, the food sector is the next target. The influx of investment into the laying hen industry indicates a shift in strategy: no longer solely focused on large-scale projects, but also on meeting the basic needs of everyday life.

Kadin argues that this collaboration is crucial for strengthening the global supply chain amid geopolitical uncertainty. However, this logic contradicts global trends, where many countries are strengthening their food self-sufficiency as a crisis anticipation measure.

Dependence on external parties in a strategic sector like food has the potential to become a weak point. If bilateral relations are disrupted or global policy changes occur, the stability of domestic supply could be shaken.

Between Ambition and Vulnerability

The Free Nutritious Meal Program itself still leaves numerous issues. From budget readiness to distribution mechanisms, its implementation is considered incomplete. In a situation like this, the entry of foreign actors into the supply chain only adds further complexity.

Transparency is a key issue. The public has the right to know how this cooperation scheme is implemented, who benefits, and how protection for local businesses is guaranteed.

Without strict oversight, the MBG program risks transforming from a social initiative into an economic project that benefits a handful of parties. Furthermore, dependence on foreign partners for food supply could slowly erode national sovereignty.

Rather than opening up space for external domination, the government and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) should strengthen domestic production capacity. Supporting local farmers—through access to financing, technology, and price stabilization—would be a more sustainable solution.

Ultimately, the fundamental question that must be answered is: is the MBG program truly for the welfare of the people, or is it simply a gateway for global interests in Indonesia's food sector? 

(Ris)