Indonesia Leads Global Nutmeg Supply, Pushes Quality

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia controls more than half of the world’s nutmeg supply, but the Ministry of Trade says high production alone is not enough to strengthen its position in the global market. Businesses must also maintain quality and meet food safety standards in export destinations.

The issue was discussed during the Bincang-Bincang Mutu (BBM) webinar titled “Global Food Safety & Market Access: Pala Berstandar Pala Mendunia”, organized by the Ministry of Trade’s Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Trade Compliance (PKTN) on Thursday, September 3, 2026. The event was attended by 297 participants, including MSMEs, exporters, regional governments, and other stakeholders.

Director General of PKTN, Moga Simatupang, said nutmeg is one of Indonesia’s key spice commodities, with high economic value for the food, pharmaceutical, and essential oil industries.

“As a major producer controlling more than half of the world’s nutmeg supply, Indonesia holds a highly strategic position in international trade. However, to further strengthen its grip on the global market, high production alone is not enough. Businesses must consistently maintain quality and comply with international requirements,” Moga said in an official statement.

Statistics Indonesia data processed by the Ministry of Trade showed that Indonesia’s nutmeg exports rose from USD 111.36 million in 2024 to USD 133.01 million in 2025. Indonesia accounted for 53.41 percent of the global nutmeg market, with China and Vietnam as major destinations, while the European Union and Japan remain promising high-value markets.

However, premium markets impose stricter food safety requirements, particularly on mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A. From 2024 to July 2026, four Indonesian nutmeg shipments were rejected in Japan and 21 in the European Union.

Director of Standardization and Quality Control Sukoco said export success should not be measured only by volume, but also by compliance with international standards and technical requirements.

“Businesses need to identify critical points in the supply chain and implement risk controls at each critical point,” Sukoco said. He added that exporters can use the LAMANSITU digital portal to understand market requirements and mitigate quality risks before shipment.

The Ministry of Trade is also strengthening the capacity of the Goods Quality Testing Center (BPMB) to ensure exported nutmeg meets food safety standards required by destination countries.

Director of Supervision of Food Safety and Quality Standards Implementation at the National Food Agency, Apriyanto Dwi Nugroho, stressed that food safety should be strengthened domestically to reduce risks that could hinder exports.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Trade Attaché in The Hague Annisa Hapsari highlighted regulatory developments and market trends in the European Union, while exporters shared experience in meeting requirements on microbiology, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues.

The Ministry of Trade hopes cooperation among the government, overseas trade representatives, associations, exporters, and MSMEs will improve the quality of Indonesian nutmeg, reduce export rejections, and expand access to premium global markets.