Indonesia is one of the world's largest exporters of processed seaweed products, especially dried seaweed. Exports of seaweed products were even able to bring in foreign exchange of US$96.19 million or Rp. 1.4 trillion last year. According to the Ministry of Industry, processed seaweed products in Indonesia can be divided into two types, namely gelatin and carrageenan. Globally, Indonesia currently occupies the seventh position as a gelatin exporter country and the sixth rank as a carrageenan exporter country. On the other hand, in terms of export volume, Indonesia is the largest exporter of dried seaweed commodities.
In 2019, the export value of processed seaweed was only 49.75% of the export value of dried seaweed, with the main processed product exported was carrageenan. Then, in 2020, this percentage increases to 53.79%, the Ministry of Industry seeks to increase the added value of seaweed so that it can become a derivative product that has a large market share, both for domestic and export needs. Plt. The Director General of Agro Industry of the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) Putu Juli Ardika said, Indonesia has great potential with the availability of raw materials for seaweed. In addition, the competitiveness and export market for processed seaweed is still promising. "The export value of the seaweed processing industry in Indonesia throughout 2020 reached US$ 96.19 million or around Rp. 1.4 trillion with a production volume of 26,611 tons," Putu said in his official statement, Thursday (4/11).
In 2020, dry seaweed production will reach around 376 thousand tons, with the main producers coming from Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara, Central Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, and South Sulawesi Provinces. Processed seaweed products are generally used by the food and non-food industries. In the food industry, seaweed formulation products are used as food additives in meatballs, nuggets, syrups, ice cream, yogurt, juices, and jellies. In the non-food industry, seaweed can be used for the production of paints, textiles, toothpaste, cosmetics such as lotions, soaps, and shampoos. In addition, processed seaweed products have also been used in the pharmaceutical industry, for example for the manufacture of capsule shells and agar media. In fact, waste from seaweed processing in the form of solids and liquids can also be further utilized for fertilizers, plant media and lightweight bricks.
Currently, his party continues to encourage optimizing the use of domestically processed seaweed products for industrial users. This is to reduce dependence on imported products while at the same time supporting import substitution policies. The government is also trying to increase the downstreaming of seaweed commodities through the diversification of processed seaweed products. Also, encourage cooperation between the seaweed processing industry and user industries, and encourage research and development of processed seaweed products with domestic and foreign research institutions. "We are optimistic that this agro-based industry can make a significant contribution to the national economy, such as from its exports," he said. One of the largest producers of seaweed is PT Hydrocolloid Indonesia. Plant Manager of PT Hydrocolloid Indonesia, Budhi Sugiharto, said that his party is currently focusing on producing processed seaweed in the form of carrageenan which is used for the food industry. However, it is possible that this local company will develop innovations in order to increase product diversification to meet the needs of other industries. Budhi hopes that the government can issue regulations or implement policies to create a conducive business climate. For example, it is necessary to maintain the availability of raw materials, the stability of seaweed prices, and the integration of the upstream-downstream sector to strengthen the supply chain.
"In our opinion, the key to the sustainability of the seaweed processing industry, one of which is a good seaweed trading system," said Budhi. PT Hydrocolloid Indonesia is a seaweed processing company that has been operating since 2012. Its production output is 80% to fill the export market, especially to Japan, Russia, the United States, Denmark, and South American countries.
Sources: https://katadata.co.id/maesaroh/berita/61849c47507fd/jadi-eksportir-utama-dunia-ri-dapat-devisa-rp-1-4-t-dari-rumput-laut
