Said Puan Maharani, Local Fruits Don't Lose Competition With Foreign Products

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, visited the processed pineapple industry in Lampung. He reminded the importance of cooperation between the company and plasma farmers and other workers.

Puan's presence in the pineapple processing industry of PT Great Giant Pineaple Co (GGPC) in Central Lampung Regency, Wednesday, August 24, was warmly welcomed by company employees. PT GGPC is a subsidiary of PT. Great Giant Foods which is the world's largest exporter of pineapple from Indonesia in canned pineapple, pineapple juice and pineapple concentrate.

Accompanied by the President Director of PT GGPC, Puan then reviewed the pineapple processing and exposure activities. He observes the production process from processing to packaging.

Pineapple processing in this company has been directly integrated starting from the plantation and the production of cans. Thus, pineapple can be processed immediately after harvesting to maintain the nutritional content and freshness of the fruit.

To the company's management, Puan reminded the importance of maintaining harmony with plasma farmers. PT GGPC is known to have more than 10 thousand workers including those who work as farmers in pineapple, banana and guava plantations.

"The relationship between the nucleus and plasma must be synergistic and mutual cooperation, not limited to buying and selling at market prices," said Puan, Wednesday, August 24.

Puan said that the good relationship between the company and the plasma farmers will bring the pineapple processing industry to a greater extent. Puan said that progress in this sector would improve the Indonesian economy.

"The core relationship with plasma in Lampung as in GGPC is proof that Indonesia can play a strategic role in world-class trade when we work together," he said.

As soon as she left the production room, Puan was warmly greeted by hundreds of workers, the majority of whom were women. The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture greeted and took photos with the workers while distributing t-shirts.

"Miss president," shouted a number of workers.

Furthermore, Puan released a container truck that would carry processed pineapple products for export to several European and Middle Eastern countries. The release of processed pineapple exports is carried out with the tradition of breaking a jug.

Exports of processed Indonesian pineapples in recent years are indeed quite large, even beating Thailand, the Philippines and Latin America. The export value of pineapples from PT GGP is approximately IDR 87 billion in 2020 and will increase to IDR 151 billion in 2021.

The main destination countries for pineapple exports from Lampung are Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Japan, a number of countries and the Middle East. Argentina is also a destination for pineapple exports from Lampung, which has continued to increase in recent years.

"The results of Indonesian fruit products should not be inferior to foreigners in terms of quality, packaging, and branding," said Puan.