Indonesia Raises Nutmeg Standards to Cut Export Rejections

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is strengthening quality standards for nutmeg to expand access to global markets. The measure aims to reduce export refusals and increase the commodity’s trade value.

Director General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order (PKTN) at the Ministry of Trade, Moga Simatupang, said nutmeg is a flagship spice commodity with high economic value for the food, pharmaceutical, and essential oil industries.

“As the leading producer accounting for more than half of the world’s nutmeg supply, Indonesia occupies a highly strategic position in the international trade landscape,” Moga said during the webinar Global Food Safety & Market Access: Pala Berstandar Pala Mendunia on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as quoted on the Ministry’s official website.

According to Moga, production volume alone does not guarantee export success. “Business players must consistently maintain quality and meet international requirements,” he said.

Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), processed by the Ministry, shows that Indonesia’s nutmeg export value rose from USD 111.36 million in 2024 to USD 133.01 million in 2025. Indonesia holds a 53.41 percent share of the global nutmeg market, with China and Vietnam as its main destinations.

The European Union (EU) and Japan are considered high‑value markets with strong growth potential. However, exporters face strict food safety requirements, particularly concerning contamination by aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. From 2024 through July 2026, Japan recorded four cases of Indonesian nutmeg rejection, while the EU recorded 21 cases.

To address this, the government is encouraging risk management throughout the supply chain until products are ready for export.

The Ministry’s Director of Standardization and Quality Control, Sukoco, said export success can no longer be measured solely by shipment volume. “Business actors need to identify critical points in the supply chain and implement risk controls at each point to minimize or eliminate risks to a safe level,” he said.

Businesses are also encouraged to use the Self‑Service Quality Information Portal (LAMANSITU) to understand market requirements from the outset. The Ministry is strengthening the Commodity Quality Testing Center to ensure product testing meets destination‑country food safety standards.

Director of Food Safety and Quality Standards Enforcement at the National Food Agency (Bapanas), Apriyanto Dwi Nugroho, emphasized the importance of strengthening food safety measures before products are exported. “This measure is intended to reduce potential risks that could hinder product marketing in the destination country,” he said.

The Ministry is relying on collaboration among government institutions, trade representatives, associations, exporters, and micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) to expand Indonesian nutmeg’s market penetration.

These efforts are expected to open broader access to premium markets while strengthening Indonesia’s position as a supplier of high‑quality nutmeg. ***