RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is expanding its global seafood market reach after securing export approval numbers for 57 fish processing units (UPI) from authorities in Turkiye and China. The approvals mark a significant step in strengthening Indonesia’s position in international trade while ensuring compliance with stringent food safety standards.

“With these approval numbers, 57 fisheries businesses can now export fish and other seafood products to Turkiye and China,” Head of Quality Control and Inspection Agency at the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Ishartini, said in Jakarta on Monday, February 23, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She explained that the approval process involved more than submitting lists of companies. Each UPI underwent technical verification and completed questionnaires in line with the requirements of Turkish and Chinese regulators. All proposed units were certified under HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) and adhered to sanitation, hygiene, and fish-based food safety standards.

Of the 56 UPIs submitted to Türkiye, 52 have already received approval numbers, while four remain under verification. Meanwhile, all five UPIs proposed to China were immediately approved by the Chinese General Administration of Customs (GACC).

Ishartini noted that approval in Turkiye was particularly urgent, as the country is introducing a new import system, the Approved Establishment System of Turkiye (TROIS). Only companies granted approval numbers and registered in TROIS will be permitted to export seafood products there.

Turkiye is considered a promising market for Indonesian seafood. In 2025, Indonesia exported seven key commodities to Turkiye - including skipjack, tuna, carrageenan, sardines, lemuru, octopus, and processed seaweed - totaling 2,600 tons valued at USD 4.6 million (IDR 78.6 billion).

China, meanwhile, remains one of Indonesia’s largest export destinations, importing 1,080 types of seafood commodities. In 2025, Indonesia’s seafood exports to China reached 491,528 tons, worth USD 1.04 billion. Major products included frozen squid, Eucheuma cottonii seaweed, Gracilaria, frozen ribbon fish, frozen leatherjacket fish, and frozen croaker fish. ***