Indonesia to Export Spices, Ready Meals for 2026 Hajj

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced plans to export hundreds of tons of Indonesian spices and millions of ready-to-eat meal packages to Saudi Arabia to serve Indonesian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the domestic Hajj economic ecosystem by increasing local value creation and empowering Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Director General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development Jaenal Effendi said the ministry is prioritizing the use of Indonesian-made seasonings to ensure pilgrims can enjoy familiar flavors while abroad.

“This year, we are maximizing the use of Indonesian-flavored seasonings. There are 22 types of spices, with a total volume exceeding 400 tons,” Jaenal said during a media briefing at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that the estimated economic turnover from the spice paste exports alone reaches Rp63.36 billion (approximately US$3.78 million). All seasonings have passed taste tests and stringent certification requirements to meet international food safety standards.

In addition to spices, the ministry is also focusing on providing ready-to-eat meals, particularly for pilgrims during the peak Hajj phase known as Armuzna, which covers Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Mina. During this period, on-site cooking in public kitchens is not feasible due to field conditions, crowd density, and strict logistical constraints.

To meet these needs, the ministry has prepared 3.9 million ready-to-eat meal packages. It has appointed 10 spice suppliers and 10 ready-to-eat food producers, all of which have met rigorous selection criteria.

“These companies already hold export permits from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. We have conducted food testing, and the taste remains distinctly Indonesian,” Jaenal said.

He said the program offers a significant opportunity for Indonesian MSMEs to directly benefit from the Hajj economy, which involves funds worth tens of trillions of rupiah each year.

The export initiative is also intended to break the long-standing pattern in which much of the economic benefit from the Hajj season flowed to foreign suppliers from countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia.

By exporting spices and ready-to-eat meals directly from Indonesia, the ministry aims to ensure that Hajj funds circulate domestically and deliver tangible economic benefits to Indonesian businesses and the wider national economy. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)