Exports Of Indonesian Fisheries Products To Russia Reach 25.38 Million US Dollars Throughout 2023

Director General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) Budi Sulistyo. (Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) noted that the export of Indonesian fishery products to Russia reached 25.38 million US dollars throughout 2023.

"The main commodities include shrimp amounting to 11.53 million US dollars or 45 percent of total exports to Russia," said Budi Sulistyo, Director General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) at a press conference at the KKP office, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 24.

Budi added that another commodity, namely seaweed, contributed US$5.87 million or around 23.1 percent and fishery commodities contributed 5.25 million US dollars or around 20.7 percent.

Meanwhile, Russian fishery imports amounted to 1.73 billion US dollars or equivalent to 0.9 percent of the world's total fishery imports. Russian fishery imports in 2023 were dominated by trout and salmon commodities with a proportion of 39.4 percent followed by 20.2 percent of shrimp and 8.6 percent of seaweed.

He explained that Russia's main supplier in 2023 was Chile with a share of 22.5 percent. Meanwhile, Indonesia is still ranked 12th with a share of 1.5 percent.

"We still need to try this, we encourage together to increase exports there (Russia)," he said.

In addition, Indonesia's trade in fishery products to Russia is still a deficit for two consecutive years. Budi said Indonesia experienced a deficit of 42.42 million US dollars in 2022 and in 2023 the deficit value reached 15.5 million US dollars.

"If we look at the trade balance, Indonesia's fishery products to Russia (during) 2022-2023 are still in deficit. From these balance sheets, we study that each deficit is 42.42 million US dollars in 2022 and 15.5 million US dollars in 2023," he said.

According to Budi, the geopolitical conditions of Russia-Ukraine that are heating up are one of the obstacles to dealing with trade routes. In addition, he explained, Indonesian fishery products cannot compete with countries that have more efficient delivery routes.

"In the latest developments, if I'm not mistaken there is an embargo for delivery there (Russia) from European countries. Meanwhile, in September-October, winter will come, so there is a need to heat the body, one of which is protein," he explained.

Furthermore, Budi assessed, this could be an opportunity for Indonesia to send samples in the hope that it could strengthen Indonesian products to be accepted in Russia.

"This is our opportunity to immediately send samples. We will send the requested samples. Hopefully, from this sample it will be a reinforcement, it turns out that Indonesian products can enter and be accepted there," he concluded.