Government Strengthen Synergy to Boost Agromaritime Exports to Global Markets

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Abdul Kadir Karding, held a strategic meeting with the Governor of Central Sulawesi, Anwar Hafid, in Jakarta on 7 September 2026. The meeting focused on discussing synergy between the two parties to boost the export potential of Central Sulawesi's agromaritime commodities so they can penetrate global markets more broadly.

Karding revealed that Central Sulawesi holds a wide range of superior commodity potential capable of competing in overseas markets, ranging from edible bird's nests, durian, cacao, and coconut, to fishery products such as frozen tuna loin and mud crabs. He noted that expanding market access is crucial so that this great potential can be optimally utilized.

The commodity traffic data of Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) for the January-September 2026 period shows a positive trend in export volume. For plant commodities, Central Sulawesi's exports were dominated by whole coconut, reaching 39.15 million kg to China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, along with 8.98 million kg of coconut meal to India. In the fisheries sector, blood clams exports reached 60,310 kg and tuna exports reached 23,676 kg.

One achievement highlighted by Karding was the success of durian from Parigi Moutong in penetrating the Chinese market, with a total volume reaching 8,162.7 tons. He explained that this success was made possible through orchard and packing house registration, strengthened quality assurance systems, and the implementation of a traceability system in line with General Administration of Customs China (GACC) standards.

He emphasized the importance of mentorship for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as local farmers, so they can penetrate international markets without being hindered by quarantine regulations. "We want to accelerate exports of MSMEs and local products in Central Sulawesi. Our potential is abundant, but MSME players, farmers, and fishermen need mentorship and easier access so that our superior products can meet international quarantine and food safety standards," Anwar Hafid said.

On the other hand, Karding acknowledged that there are still a number of challenges facing Central Sulawesi's business players related to the increasingly strict standards of destination countries. He noted that requirements for animal, fish, and plant health, food safety, residue levels, and product traceability are becoming increasingly stringent, meaning that failure to meet them risks rejection, return, market access restrictions, or even product destruction.

In response to these challenges, Barantin and the Central Sulawesi Provincial Government agreed to collaborate, ranging from production area development to certification oversight. Karding confirmed that this step will be followed up with the strengthening of export-oriented production centers, capacity building for business players, and the provision of export clinics to boost the welfare of the people of Central Sulawesi.