Australia’s grain industry is typically viewed through a domestic lens as the source of everyday pantry staples like bread and breakfast cereal. However, this perspective overlooks one of the most strategically important aspects of Australian grain, its role in feeding the region.
Australian grain exports to Southeast Asia support food security across a region of over 675 million people.In an era of intensifying climate pressures, rising populations, and geopolitical tension, Australia’s continued role as a stable, reliable grain exporter is not just an economic advantage; it is a strategic imperative that Australia can’t afford to be complacent about.
The food security challenge in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia continues to face persistent food insecurity despite strong economic growth over the past two decades.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) defines food security as:
“When all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”
While undernourishment has significantly declined, micronutrient deficiencies continue to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. Key demographics such as young children, adolescent girls and pregnant women often face significant barriers to accessing adequate and nutritious food. For instance, almost half of all children in Southeast Asia are affected by at least one form of micronutrient deficiency and over a quarter experience stunted growth.
Similarly, food affordability remains a critical issue. In the Philippines, households spend approximately 30% of their income on food, while low-income families in Indonesia allocate as much as 64% of their household budgets to basic nutrition. This high expenditure burden increases the risk of undernutrition, especially when supply disruptions or price spikes occur.
At the same time, the region is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related disruptions that further threaten domestic food production and availability. Many Southeast Asian nations are increasingly experiencing extreme weather events such as shifting rainfall patterns and flooding, which undermine agricultural production. The impact of climate volatility was highlighted in 2023, when a severe El Niño event coupled with record-high temperatures caused prolonged droughts, delayed harvests, and significantly reduced rice yields, resulting in shortages of rice.
Population growth will add further pressure to this already critical issue. Southeast Asia’s population is projected to increase from 670 million in 2020 to 750 million by 2035, with total food demand expected to increase by 40% by 2050. Meeting this demand amid increasing climate volatility and resource constraints will require a coordinated approach to strengthen regional food systems.
A trusted partner in regional grain supply
Australian grain plays a vital role in supporting food security across Southeast Asia.
Australian grain is prized for its noodle-making qualities and is the preferred choice for flour millers across the region, who use Australian grain to produce affordable, versatile, and culturally significant staples. From bánh mì in Vietnam to mee goreng in Indonesia, Australian wheat is a key ingredient in many of Southeast Asia’s most iconic and widely consumed dishes.
Australian wheat also supports food affordability and accessibility. The majority of exports to Southeast Asia are used to produce noodles, a staple food that is both filling and low-cost, providing an essential source of energy for families on limited budgets. Instant noodles, in particular, offer a shelf-stable and easily prepared meal option, making them well-suited for food reserves and crisis response. The importance of strengthening food reserves was underscored in the 2023 ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Food Security and Nutrition, which identified emergency preparedness as a key regional priority.
Through its grain exports, Australia contributes not only to everyday nutrition across Southeast Asia but also to broader efforts to build resilient food systems, improve public health outcomes, and promote long-term regional stability.
Food security as a foundation for stability
Ensuring food security is not only a humanitarian and economic imperative, but it is also central to regional stability and security.
As noted in the 2017 Foreign White Paper, Australia’s national interest is deeply connected to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Successive Australian governments have recognised that unrest in the region can have direct implications for Australia’s national security.
The connection between food insecurity and political unrest is well established. As former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts once noted, “Show me a nation that cannot feed itself, and I’ll show you a nation in chaos.” The global food price crisis of 2007–2008 offers a key example of the destabilising impact of food insecurity, with sharp rises in food costs triggering protests in over 40 countries, including Egypt, where the call for “bread, freedom, and social justice” became a rallying cry for widespread civil unrest.
Food insecurity can also heighten the risk of violent extremism. In regions such as the Horn of Africa, former al-Shabaab fighters cited food scarcity as a key factor in their recruitment
In this context, Australia’s role as a reliable supplier of wheat and other staple foods contributes not only to the wellbeing of regional populations but also to broader geopolitical stability.
By helping neighbouring countries meet their basic food needs, Australia supports public health, economic development, and social cohesion, all of which reinforce long-term peace and security.
Grain as a tool of soft power
Australia’s grain exports to Southeast Asia are more than a matter of trade, they are a strategic asset that builds trust and amplifies Australia’s international influence.
Wheat is Australia’s largest agricultural export to Southeast Asia, valued at over $6.3 billion in 2022. In a period of growing trade protectionism, Australia’s reliability stands out. While many nations have imposed export bans due to global shortages of grain, Australia has maintained its role as a stable and consistent grain exporter.
Through reliable, high-quality supply, Australia exercises a quiet but powerful form of soft power, forging relationships rooted in mutual benefit and long-term interdependence.
A 2009 study by the Asia Development Bank of 290,040 country-pair observations from 1950 to 2000, found that an increase in bilateral trade interdependence and global trade openness significantly promoted peace.
Wheat exports embed Australia in the everyday lives of its neighbours, creating practical connections that transcend political cycles. This interconnectedness opens the door to deeper cooperation on issues like food security, sustainability, and regional resilience.
Strengthening the Government’s Role in Regional Engagement
To sustain and strengthen Australia’s role as a trusted food security partner for Southeast Asia, continued government support is essential.
Adequate and consistent funding for agricultural counsellors is critical to supporting Australian trade interests in the region. Counsellors based in Hanoi, Jakarta, and Bangkok play a frontline role in enhancing and protecting market access for Australian agricultural exports. Working closely with biosecurity, trade, and market access officials, they help navigate regulatory issues, resolve in-market challenges, and reduce the risks associated with Australia’s trade exposure. As food security concerns increasingly drive trade protectionism in the region, these roles have become even more critical.
Similarly, fostering long-term relationships through joint industry-government programs is essential. Collaborative initiatives ensure continuity and impact, even as staff and priorities change over time. The Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) Program demonstrated the value of this model by funding industry-led, commodity-specific projects that deepened in-country relationships and delivered enduring benefits. Future engagement should continue to prioritise programs that combine industry expertise with government capability to build trust, support market access, and reinforce Australia’s contribution to regional food security.
Conclusion
Australia’s grain exports to Southeast Asia do far more than generate revenue, they support food security, public health, regional peace, and Australia’s national interest.
Yet this role is often ignored in public debate. Political attention typically centres on domestic prices or trade volumes, overlooking the broader geopolitical significance of Australia’s wheat exports.
By continuing to invest in its role as a reliable wheat supplier to Southeast Asia, Australia can support the wellbeing of millions abroad while underpinning the prosperity and security of its own future.