Indonesia Regains EU Market Access for Aquaculture Exports

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has regained access to export aquaculture products to the European Union, following its inclusion in the EU’s latest regulation listing approved countries.

Head of the Agency for Quality Control and Supervision of Marine and Fisheries Products at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Ishartini, said the development brings relief to aquaculture businesses that had been concerned after Indonesia was left out of the EU’s 2024 regulation.

Indonesia was reinstated through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2589, issued on June 4, 2026. Ishartini noted that the achievement was the result of intensive communication and negotiations between KKP Ministry and EU authorities, including direct meetings with the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) in Brussels.

Support also came from the EU Delegation in Jakarta, Indonesia’s Embassy in Brussels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Trade.

“Throughout the process, KKP Ministry worked proactively to safeguard the interests of aquaculture businesses. With Indonesia back on the list, access to the EU market remains open and sustainable,” Ishartini said, as quoted by Antara.

The EU, with 27 member states, is a major global market consuming around 24-25 kilograms of fish per capita annually. With average incomes of EUR 37,900 per year, the bloc represents a promising destination for Indonesian aquaculture exports.

Currently, the EU ranks as Indonesia’s fifth-largest export market for fisheries products. Key aquaculture commodities shipped include shrimp, milkfish, catfish, and tilapia--often referred to as “aquatic chicken”--which is emerging as a new flagship product for Indonesia in Europe. ***