Batam Lobster Farming Reaches Singapore Market

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The success of the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's pilot lobster farming project in Batam, Riau Islands, has opened the way for a more stable and measurable supply. This was demonstrated by the successful shipment of hundreds of kilograms of market-ready lobsters to Singapore.

Director General of Aquaculture at the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Tb Haeru Rahayu, described the achievement as evidence of progress in Indonesia’s domestic lobster farming sector. He said Indonesia was now capable of raising lobsters from the clear lobster seed (BBL) stage to market size.

“This shows that we can now farm lobsters from the clear lobster seed (BBL) stage to market size. The results can even be sold and exported,” he said in an official ministry press release issued in Jakarta on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Haeru said 339.5 kilograms of lobsters produced through the Batam farming pilot had been marketed in Singapore and received a positive response. The ministry is targeting the next shipment for November 2026.

He said the success of lobster farming in Batam would be replicated in several regions to support both domestic and export demand. As reported by Antara, the ministry plans to expand lobster farming pilot facilities in Situbondo, East Java, following similar developments in Batam and West Nusa Tenggara.

He explained that the Batam farming model was intended to support western Indonesia, Situbondo would serve the central region, while Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara would support the eastern part of the country.

According to Haeru, the development is expected to expand lobster farming capacity while establishing a supply chain capable of meeting market demand.

An exporter of crabs and lobsters to Singapore and China, Sugianto, said lobsters produced by the Batam Marine Aquaculture Fisheries Center (BPBL) had strong market prospects.

Before conducting a larger harvest, his company had carried out market tests on lobsters farmed in Batam. He said the lobsters remained in excellent condition upon arrival at the holding facility and during market testing in Singapore.

“The quality is good, and the lobsters were not lethargic. They remained in good condition when they arrived at the holding facility. We also tested exports to Singapore, and the response was very positive,” said Sugianto.

He said Indonesia’s farmed lobster market still had considerable potential because the method allowed for a more predictable supply, meaning that businesses would not have to rely solely on wild catches. ***