Barantin Launches Export Clinic to Help MSMEs Break into International Markets

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta — The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) has introduced an Export Clinic to provide consultation and guidance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, and aspiring exporters seeking to enter overseas markets. This service was established to address common challenges faced by business players, specifically a lack of understanding regarding health standards, technical requirements, certification, labeling, and traceability systems mandated by destination countries.

In a statement received on Monday, September 14, 2026, Barantin Head Abdul Kadir Karding, explained that the Export Clinic is specifically designed to assist entrepreneurs and farmers starting from the product preparation stage, rather than waiting until the commodities reach the point of departure. He made these remarks following the recent "Merdeka Ekspor" (Export Independence) event at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang.

According to him, producing high-quality commodities alone is insufficient to secure access to international markets. A failure to meet the destination country's requirements could result in a loss of market access or even the rejection of products upon arrival. Therefore, assistance is focused on ensuring that problems can be detected from the start of the production process through to packaging.

Export Clinic services are now available at various regional quarantine offices. In South Sumatra, for instance, MSME players from 17 regencies and cities can access this service at the South Sumatra Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Center in Palembang. South Sumatra Quarantine Chief Sri Endah Ekandari stated that this assistance is crucial for business owners to understand export procedures and to reduce the risk of product rejection in destination countries, including for Liberica coffee, which is currently targeting the Russian market.

In addition to South Sumatra, Barantin is collaborating with the Palu City Government to develop a similar Export Clinic. Assistance in the region encompasses technical guidance, dissemination of information on sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, and quarantine certification, as well as strengthening traceability systems through supply chain documentation. In Maluku, a service called the Manise Export Clinic provides even more comprehensive information, ranging from export flows and requirements, destination country regulations, superior regional commodities, regulations, and consulting services.

Karding added that export readiness is not merely about having complete documentation; it also hinges on the ability to maintain product quality and consistency. He noted that every country has distinct protocols for commodity entry, meaning a product accepted in one country does not automatically meet the requirements of another. MSMEs continue to face challenges such as limitations in export management, access to capital, and product quality consistency.

The establishment of the Export Clinic marks an expansion of Barantin’s role; while it previously functioned solely as a biosecurity guardian at ports, airports, and borders, it has now extended its scope to provide guidance and support starting from the product preparation stage in the region of origin. However, Barantin's primary task is to ensure that commodities are free from pests and diseases and meet health standards.

The high demand for this service is reflected in Barantin’s data from January to July 20, which recorded approximately 2.47 million certification services covering exports, imports, and domestic trade. Of this total, 191,184 were export certifications, with the associated commodities valued at IDR 224.3 trillion. Through the Export Clinic, Barantin hopes to see more business players not only capable of making initial shipments but also able to sustain their market presence in destination countries over the long term.