Indonesia Seafood Nets USD 198.33 Million Potential Deals in Japan

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Japanese market offers significant opportunities for Indonesian seafood exporters. Indonesian businesses recorded potential transactions worth USD 198.33 million at the 28th Japan International Seafood & Technology Expo (JISTE) 2026, held in Tokyo from August 19–21, 2026.

Director General of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade, Fajarini Puntodewi, said the figure reflects the strong competitiveness of Indonesian fishery products in Japan. She encouraged exporters to optimize the Protocol Amending the Indonesia–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA).

“Through this cooperation, market access to Japan is becoming increasingly open via a zero‑percent tariff policy for processed fish products from Indonesia,” Puntodewi said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 8, as quoted on the Ministry’s official website.

During business matching sessions at JISTE 2026, tuna--both fresh and processed--emerged as the product with the highest transaction potential. Japanese buyers also showed interest in octopus, kisu fish, ebi fry, skipjack tuna, swimming crab, squid, cuttlefish, chirimen, tobiko, uni, and other processed seafood products.

Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir, said the zero‑percent tariff has expanded market opportunities for Indonesian processed seafood products. “Indonesian businesses need to demonstrate commitment, consistency, and continuity in their supply,” she said.

According to her, Japanese buyers’ trust depends not only on product quality but also on reliability and transparency in meeting supply commitments.

Business opportunities were also realized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PT Nirvana Niaga Sejahtera and Godai Co., Ltd. to develop sashimi‑grade yellowfin tuna loins valued at USD 9.6 million. The agreement followed a business meeting between the two companies at JISTE 2025.

Exports of Indonesian processed fishery products to Japan reached USD 45.81 million from January through June 2026, growing 29.05 percent year‑on‑year. This growth was driven primarily by processed tuna and skipjack, which totaled USD 41.12 million--or 89.75 percent of total processed fishery exports.

Director of Primary Product Export Development at the Ministry, Miftah Farid, said processed fishery exports recorded an average annual growth rate of 10.39 percent from 2021 to 2025.

“Strengthening promotion, diversifying products, and increasing the added value and competitiveness of Indonesia’s processed fishery products must continue to be encouraged to take advantage of existing market opportunities,” Miftah said. ***