JAKARTA - Who would have thought that local Indonesian koi could now rival and even surpass the prestige of Japanese koi? While the quality of domestic koi was often underestimated in the past, the situation has now reversed. From national contests to the international market, koi cultivated by local breeders are increasingly being recognized.
A key figure behind this progress is Hartono Soekwanto, owner of the Samurai Collection Center. For over a decade, he has consistently distributed superior koi seeds to breeders. The results are tangible. "Twelve years ago, all koi contests measuring 0–50 cm were won by Japanese koi. Now, local koi can win. This means this movement is successful," said Hartono in a statement received by VOI in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 27.
The increasingly maintained quality of local koi automatically increases their selling price. Hartono mentioned that a local koi once sold for a staggering Rp120 million. "Imagine, a 30–40 cm fish used to cost only Rp120,000. Now, it can fetch hundreds of millions. That's a huge leap," he said.
The national koi ecosystem is also increasingly solid. Cultivation centers have sprung up in Blitar, Kediri, Tulungagung, Sukabumi, and even Bandung. One of them is being seriously pursued by Kiki Sutarki, owner of the Samurai Koi Center. This former architect turned his attention to the koi world in 2006. Now, his Bandung cultivation facility produces international-quality koi.
According to Kiki, medium-sized local koi, up to 50 cm in length, have often beaten Japanese koi in contests. Even plain koi can reach 90 cm. "Local breeding is now progressing rapidly. Many are of a higher quality than Japanese koi," he said.
Despite high operational costs—from pond electricity to premium feed reaching Rp 500,000/kg—stakeholders are optimistic about the bright future of Indonesian koi. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, sales actually surged as many people sought a new hobby.
With continuously improving quality, fantastic prices, and a growing community, local koi are not just a source of national pride. They have a great opportunity to penetrate the global stage.
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