Yogyakarta's Frozen Chilies Enter the Japanese Market, Nearly IDR 1 Billion

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta – Frozen chilies from Yogyakarta have begun penetrating the Japanese market after Injapan Corporation, a Bantul-based company with a production unit in Gunungkidul, began shipping its products to Japan in stages starting in June 2025. This move capitalizes on the significant demand for chilies from approximately 266,000 Indonesian citizens (WNI) residing in Japan, with demand estimated at 1,227 tons per year.

Injapan Corporation leaders Heri Kurnianta and Arif Yulianto, revealed that the inaugural shipment of 7.9 tons took place in June 2025. Shipments continued with volumes of 8.3 tons in April 2026 and eight tons in August 2026. In total, the company has completed eight shipments to Japan, with an accumulated transaction value approaching IDR 1 billion.

Details of this export experience were shared during the 9th episode of Barantin’s "Go Ekspor" web series, titled "Jogja Frozen Chili Breaks into the Global Market," held on Wednesday.

Head of the Yogyakarta Quarantine Agency, Obing Hobir, stated that Japan represents a highly promising non-traditional market for frozen chili products from the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). "Japan is a very promising non-traditional market for frozen chili," he said.

However, he noted that this substantial market opportunity comes with strict requirements that exporters must meet. "To enter that market, business operators must comply with rigorous quarantine and food safety standards," Obing said.

The success in penetrating the Japanese market has encouraged the business to look beyond just chili. Heri mentioned that they are now targeting other agricultural products that also enjoy high demand in Japan. "We intend to explore opportunities for other products, specifically aromatic ginger (kencur), ginger, and turmeric. Broadly speaking, we see significant need and interest regarding these products," Heri said.

Principal Secretary of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin), Shahandra Hanitiyo, emphasized the agency's readiness to assist MSMEs in meeting destination country requirements and navigating export certification processes, ensuring that promising regional commodities are not limited to the domestic market. "We at the Indonesian Quarantine Agency are committed to being a strategic partner for businesses, not just a regulator, but also accelerating certification services, strengthening export support for MSMEs, and acting as a bridge of trust for Indonesia in the global market," Shahandra said.

The Special Region of Yogyakarta government also welcomes this opportunity to expand exports of regional agricultural commodities. Head of the Yogyakarta Industry and Trade Office, Anton Rahardja, stated that government support is not aimed solely at the Japanese market. "We are ready to synergize and collaborate so that Yogyakarta's export potential can reach global markets, not only Japan but also Europe and all of Asia," Anton said.