KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia is positioning itself to tap into China’s booming demand for tropical and agricultural products by pursuing direct export routes for durian, chicken, and eggs, cutting out intermediary countries and boosting national profit margins.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono revealed that Indonesia is actively exploring direct export opportunities to China, following a recent meeting with his Chinese counterpart. The discussion focused on bypassing traditional re-export channels such as Thailand and Malaysia, particularly for durian.

“Until now, our durian has been exported to Thailand, which then re-exports it to China. We only earn about 10 percent. If we export directly to China, we could gain up to 30 percent,” Sudaryono said after attending the plenary session of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) in Jakarta on Friday, October 3, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Beyond durian, Indonesia is also targeting poultry and egg exports. Sudaryono emphasized that the country has achieved self-sufficiency in both commodities and is currently experiencing oversupply.

“We’re self-sufficient in chicken and eggs—there’s even a surplus. I’ve asked that we begin exporting to China and other markets,” he added.

Sudaryono expressed confidence in Indonesia’s ability to compete globally, citing the freshness and quality of its agricultural products. “We’re fresh from the oven. We’re ready to participate with good practices,” he said.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Indonesia exported 600 tons of durian in 2024, valued at USD 1.8 million (approximately IDR 29.7 billion), with Thailand and Hong Kong as the primary destinations.

Meanwhile, data from China’s Customs Authority shows the country imported a record-breaking 15.6 billion kilograms of durian in 2024, an increase of 9.4 percent from the previous year, amounting to nearly USD 7 billion. ***