KBRN, Jakarta: The West Java Provincial Administration is assisting Gedong Gincu mango farmers in meeting strict export standards required by the Japanese market, aiming to boost the global competitiveness of one of the region’s top agricultural commodities.

Mangga Gedong Gincu is a premium mango variety from West Java, Indonesia, known for its vibrant reddish-yellow skin, rich aroma, and sweet, slightly tangy flavor, making it highly sought after in both local and export markets.

According to Dadan Hidayat, Head of West Java's Food Crops and Horticulture Agency, market exploration is currently underway with Japanese buyer communities, opening significant opportunities for mango-producing regions across the province.

“Production areas include Cirebon, Majalengka, Sumedang, and Indramayu. The export potential for Gedong Gincu mangoes from West Java is very promising,” he said during a visit to Cirebon on Friday, October 3, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Although West Java has previously exported Gedong Gincu mangoes, Dadan emphasized that this time the provincial administration is taking a more structured approach to ensure compliance with Japan's strict import regulations.

One of the most critical requirements for exporting to Japan is achieving zero fruit fly contamination.“There must be no fruit flies at all. That’s why our assistance is focused on this issue, with help from Plant Pest Organism Control Officers (POPT),” he explained.

POPT officers are assigned to assist farmers in maintaining orchard health, controlling pests and diseases, and ensuring pesticide use meets international safety standards. The provincial administration strongly promotes eco-friendly pest management practices to preserve fruit quality and orchard ecosystems.

“If pesticides are used, they must comply with proper dosage and environmental safety standards. The principle is always environmental sustainability,” he added.

He stressed that West Java’s support is part of a broader strategy to enhance the global competitiveness of its agricultural commodities. Farmers are also trained to maintain quality control from cultivation through post-harvest, ensuring the produce is export-ready.

“This is the province’s concrete contribution to support the export of Gedong Gincu mangoes while promoting eco-friendly pest control methods,” he said.

Cirebon Regency, one of the province’s main mango-producing areas, recorded a mango output of 447,769.58 quintals in 2024, according to data from the Central Berau of Statistics (BPS).

Cirebon Regent Imron noted that Gedong Gincu mangoes from the region have already penetrated Middle Eastern markets. For instance, mango exports to the United Arab Emirates peaked at USD 13,567.91 in April 2023 alone.

“Mangoes from Cirebon, including Gedong Gincu and other varieties, have long been exported,” Imron said.

He added that the local administration continues to implement various programs to increase mango productivity and help farmers gain better access to international markets.

“We’re committed to supporting farmers and boosting export potential for our mango produce,” he said. ***