Indonesian Ornamental Plant Exports Increase 69.7 Percent During The Pandemic

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's ornamental plant exports recorded a significant increase reaching 69.7 percent in the January to September 2021 period compared to the period in the previous year. Ornamental plants, which are one of the commodities to divert stress or stress release by most people in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia, encourage an increase in market demand for live plant products, both ornamental plants and cut flowers.

As a producer and exporter of ornamental plants, the export value of Indonesian ornamental plants was recorded from January to September 2021, increasing by 69.73 percent year-on-year (yoy), reaching a value of 10.77 million US dollars. The export component of Indonesian ornamental plants is dominated by flower products and fresh cut flower buds with a portion of 26.92 percent, followed by mosses, mosses and lichens (22.54 percent), and other types of ornamental plants (50.53 percent).

"Although the export performance of Indonesia's ornamental plants in 2020 had experienced a decline, the activities of the world community which are gradually being active have a positive impact on Indonesia's ornamental plant exports, which were observed to grow 69.73 percent in the period January to September 2021," said Head of the Division of Export Financing Institutions. Indonesia (LPEI) / Indonesia Eximbank (IEB) Institute, Rini Satriani in a written statement, Wednesday, December 29.

During the January-September 2021 period, Japan was listed as the main export destination for ornamental plants from Indonesia with a share of 32.23 percent followed by Singapore (15.55 percent), the United States (13.12 percent), the Netherlands (13.03 percent). ), and China (5.60 percent).

Meanwhile, the increase in the export value of ornamental plants in the period January - September 2021 was able to be recorded by Japan by 31.72 percent yoy to USD 3.47 million, which was driven by exports of moss - lichen products.

"This plant is known to contain nutrients that can treat bronchitis, asthma, heart, stomach, antiviral, antioxidant to anti-cancer. The pharmaceutical industry in Japan that utilizes the nutrients in these plants increases export potential for Indonesia," said Rini.

Furthermore, Singapore's growth in export value was also followed by 97.37 percent yoy or to 1.67 million US dollars, which was driven by exports of grafted plant products and cut flowers. This increase was due to public demand for flower bouquets in various celebratory ceremonies and other decorative purposes.

Historically, imports of world flowers have had an upward trend in the months leading up to a number of important and religious celebrations, such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Hannukah and Christmas.

Based on data from trademap.org, in 2020, the highest increase in imports of ornamental plant products was recorded in the Netherlands (up 134.76 million US dollars), England (up 65.68 million US dollars), Italy (up 59.62 million US dollars), Denmark (up 37.28 million US dollars) and Germany (up 28.15 million US dollars).

During 2020 there were 70 exporters of ornamental plants from Indonesia who seized opportunities in the midst of this pandemic. Based on information from Panjiva, West Java Province recorded the largest number of ornamental plant exporters in Indonesia, namely 25 exporters. DKI Jakarta occupies the second position (19 exporters) followed by Central Java (7 exporters), Banten (6 exporters), and East Java (4 exporters).

The majority of ornamental plant business players are dominated by exporters with export values below 100 thousand US dollars per year and superior products in the form of fresh cut flowers and flower buds, followed by moose moss and lichen as well as other types of ornamental plants.