The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) noted that in the January – October 2024 period, the estimated value of fisheries export reached US$ 4.81 billion with an export volume of 1.1 million tons. This meant an increase of 4.37% compared to the same period in 2023, which was US$ 4.61 billion.
The largest export destination countries are the United States, with an export value of US$ 1.56 billion, China, at US$ 0.99 billion, ASEAN, at US$ 0.65 billion, Japan, at US$ 0.49 billion and the European Union US$ 0.35 billion. Currently, the leading commodities are: shrimp at US$ 1.35 billion, tuna, tuna and skipjack at US$ 0.68 billion, cuttlefish and octopus at US$ 0.68 billion, crab at US$ 0.48 billion and seaweed at US$ 0.29 billion. The majority of Indonesia’s fisheries exports are generated from capture fishing, which in 2024 reached 6.71 million tons.
Imam Trihatmadja, Program Director of Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia, said that Indonesia’s export value is still far below Vietnam, which has reached US 9.5 billion. He estimates that Indonesia’s export values until December 2024 will only reach US$ 5.97 billion.
“There are a number of obstacles that make Indonesian exports still lag behind Vietnam,” Imam claims. Indonesia’s fisheries exports need to be increased by making a series of improvements at all phases of production, from upstream to downstream.
“Apart from still relying on the United States, the quality of fishery products must be improved, especially to meet the requirements of quality and safety, sustainability, third party certification which is a buyer’s request and traceability,” said Imam.
So far, traceability is still an issue for Indonesian fisheries because the actors are dominated by small-scale vessels.
Imam also suggested that Indonesia should anticipate US President Donald Trump’s policies that inhibits international markets and their possible impacts on Indonesian exports to the US. “China and the European Union are potential markets with different characteristics that must be worked on by Indonesian fisheries businesses.”
The European Union, with its population of 447 million, is a potential market that should be paid more attention.
In order to seize the opportunity in the EU, it is urgent that Indonesia completes its due diligence in meeting their standards, such as ensuring suppliers are HACCP certified, vessels are refrigerated and certified in Good Fish Handling Methods, and the education of actors and workers at suppliers and vessels.
To this problem, Imam adds: “A concerning condition is that from 2017-2024 the number of Fish Processing Units that have an EU approval number is only 176.”
Human Rights Officer of Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia, Nabila Tauhida said that the Indonesian government needs to strengthen diplomacy and negotiations with export destination countries with the aim of penetrating more markets. The strategic steps that Indonesia needs to take are to improve fishing and fish farming practices, and strengthen diplomacy with partner countries, especially the European Union.
Nabila comments, “the urgent agenda at this time is to improve the upstream sector, lobby and diplomacy with the European Union to increase the approval number, and reduce import duties on fish and fishery products in the EU and US markets.”