Indonesian Tuna Exports To Europe Rose 17 Percent, But There Are Still Constraints

Secretary of the Directorate General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) Machmud. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) said that the volume of tuna export commodities to the European Union has increased compared to other commodities, namely shrimp.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) Machmud said the volume of tuna exports increased by 17.4 percent, while the export value rose 4.3 percent (yoy).

"If we look at BPS data as of May 2024, there is a fairly sharp increase (the tuna's commodity) compared to others. The tuna has increased by 4.3 percent and the volume is quite high, which is 17.4 percent. There is a slight decline in Shrimp for May yoy," said Machmud at the Press Conference: Triggering Hulu Downstream Indonesian Tuna Fishery Business in Jakarta, Thursday, June 20.

Machmud said the high volume compared to the export value was due to a decline in world fisheries prices, both in shrimp, tuna and seaweed commodities.

"Maybe because of the current economic conditions and the high logistics costs, it is holding prices at the consumer level good. So, prices are lowered," he said.

In addition, Machmud said there were 374.69 million tons of tuna tuna tuna skipjack (TTC) successfully exported to Europe this year.

That volume increased compared to the same period in the previous year, which was 359 million tons.

The most widely exported types of tuna to the European Union are yellow-fin tuna (yellowfin). While the largest export destination countries are Italy and Spain.

"We are also quite surprised because exports have increased quite sharply to the European Union, such as Italy and Spain. The dominance of tuna yellowfin, number one in the world, both fillet and intact," he said.

Even so, Machmud did not deny that there were still obstacles faced by Indonesia to export tuna to the European Union, namely the matter of tracing certification (traceability) implemented by the European Union.

Therefore, the KKP is currently regulating good governance for marine and fishery products, both from upstream to downstream by implementing the Measurable Fish Fishing (PIT) rules.

"Regarding the four export requirements, it must be met. The European Union has a fishing certificate (SHTI), including in the sustainability of sustainability and about quality as well. So with PIT it is our effort to meet the criteria for quality, traceability, sustainability and safety," he added.