Indonesia Strengthens Quarantine Oversight to Safeguard China Export Market

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - China remains a strategic trading partner for Indonesia, making market confidence in the country a government priority.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded that in 2025, China was Indonesia’s largest non-oil and gas export destination, with shipments valued at USD 58.24 billion, contributing 23.80 percent to total national non-oil and gas exports.

To ensure sustainable trade cooperation and continued access for national commodities, the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) is intensifying follow-up on audit results conducted by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

Barantin Head Abdul Kadir Karding said all audit recommendations would be addressed quickly, transparently, and measurably to ensure Indonesian products continue to meet China’s export requirements.

“Barantin will follow up on all audit recommendations swiftly, transparently, and in measurable ways to safeguard international market trust,” Karding said in an official statement in Jakarta on Sunday, July 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the measures are essential to maintain the confidence of trading partners and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian products in the global market.

The supervisory audit began on Monday, July 20, 2026, with the GACC Inspection Assistance Opening Meeting organized by Barantin. The activity is part of Indonesia-China collaboration to strengthen food safety assurance and support the smooth flow of international trade.

Throughout the audit process, both countries maintained open and constructive communication to ensure the quarantine supervision system aligns with international standards.

The GACC issued several notes regarding edible bird’s nests, including aluminum levels that still exceeded standards in some products, the need to strengthen traceability to swiftlet houses, and tighter oversight of company compliance.

In early July 2026, the Indonesian Bird’s Nest Entrepreneurs Association (PPSBI) reported that Chinese authorities had temporarily suspended 19 of about 50 Indonesian exporting companies due to aluminum content findings.

PPSBI data show that Indonesia’s annual export volume of swiftlet nests to China is approximately 400–500 tons, a figure unaffected by the suspensions.

Following up on the audit results, Barantin ensured that the companies concerned would immediately complete corrective actions, tighten supervision of swiftlet houses and exporters, and transparently report progress to the GACC.

Meanwhile, audit findings for fishery commodities indicated that Indonesia’s monitoring system was functioning well, though implementation still required strengthening, particularly in hygiene and sanitation, temperature control, cold chain management, documentation, traceability, and coordination between Barantin and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).

KKP data show that the value of Indonesian fishery exports reached USD 6.27 billion in 2025, up from USD 5.95 billion in 2024.

Karding stressed that compliance with destination country requirements is crucial for the sustainability of fishery exports.

“Barantin will strengthen integrated supervision, ensure corrective action plans are implemented, and improve coordination and data exchange to meet export requirements from raw materials to product departure,” he said.

For plant commodities, the GACC assessed that most basic requirements were met, though improvements were still needed in traceability, pest control, environmental monitoring, quality management, control of critical food safety points, and laboratory capacity.

As a follow-up, Barantin will tighten compliance monitoring and enforcement policies for all businesses.

“Companies that fail to comply with agreed protocols and requirements will face temporary suspension of export activities until corrective actions are completed and verified,” Karding said.

He underlined that the step reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining the credibility of the national quarantine system and safeguarding the reputation of Indonesian products in the international market.

Barantin believes that consistent implementation of audit recommendations, stronger regulations, and enhanced collaboration with the GACC will ensure the sustainability of Indonesia-China trade cooperation and expand opportunities for Indonesian products in the global market. ***