Jakarta, June 2 -- The Ministry of Industry is encouraging higher production capacity in the milk processing sector to meet demand from the 2026 Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, estimated at 4.8 billion milk packs of 115 ml and 125 ml.

"The 2026 MBG program requires 4.8 billion milk packages, while the national milk processing industry's capacity for 115 and 125 milliliter packages is only 2.39 billion, or 49.7 percent of the total MBG requirement," the ministry's Director of the Beverage, Tobacco Products, and Refreshment Industry, Merrijantij Punguan Pintaria, said on Tuesday.

The ministry informed that three companies have expanded capacity and made fresh investments to support the MBG program. However, further capacity growth is...