The Smell Of Freshness Of The Fruit Processing Industry To Overseas

Director General of Agro Industry, Ministry of Industry, Putu Juli Ardika. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Industry)

JAKARTA - The manufacturing industry has made a fresh contribution to Indonesia's export activities. Of the export value of the agro industry, which will reach USD 64.55 billion in 2021, of which fruit processing will be contributed.

"Several fruit processing industries have been export-oriented since their inception," said the Director General of Agro Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Putu Juli Ardika in his statement, Sunday, February 27.

Currently, in Indonesia, there are six fruit processing industries between small and medium scale, with a total production capacity of 5.500 tons per year. Meanwhile, in the downstream sector, there are 41 companies with a total production capacity of 430,000 tons per year.

The Director General of Agro Industry said that the domestic fruit processing industry is believed to have been able to meet the demands of foreign markets, especially in terms of quality.

One company that deserves appreciation is PT Fruit Ing Indonesia because it has expanded its market to several export destination countries such as Spain, the United States, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

“A long time ago, we had a working visit to PT Fruit Ing Indonesia in Gresik, East Java. We saw firsthand the production process there was quite good, with the standards and technology used. We also appreciate that this company is able to penetrate the market from well-known countries with strict requirements,” he explained.

In production, according to Putu, the domestic fruit processing industry, in general, has partnered with farmer groups or local fruit cooperatives to obtain the raw materials.

Partnership is a form of domestic industry's efforts to reduce dependence on imports of raw materials, increase the use and added value of local resources and play a role in improving the welfare of the community and farmers.

"We from the government encourage the domestic fruit processing industry to establish partnerships with local farmers to improve the welfare of farmers and support import substitution programs," said Putu.