As Anti-Stress Medicine During The Pandemic, Indonesian Ornamental Plant Exports Grow 69 Percent

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI) / Indonesia Eximbank reported that until the third quarter of 2021 Indonesia's ornamental plant exports recorded a significant increase of 69.7 percent compared to the same period the previous year.

The head of LPEI Rini Satriani said that the value of this commodity shipment to foreign countries was recorded at 10.77 million US dollars.

“Ornamental plants are one of the commodities that divert stress or stress release by most people in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia. This encourages an increase in market demand for live plant products, both ornamental plants and cut flowers," he said in a press statement, Wednesday, December 29.

According to Rini, 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 moss moss and lichen 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 our exports," he said.

In detail, Rini explained that Japan was the main destination 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.

Furthermore, he revealed that the moss-lichen product contains nutrients that can treat bronchitis, asthma, heart, stomach, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-cancer.

"The pharmaceutical industry in Japan that utilizes the nutrients in these plants increases the export potential for Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, throughout last year there were 70 ornamental plant exporters 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 US$100,000 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," concluded Rini.