Regency of Purbalingga in Indonesia has been chosen to host the 29th regular meeting of the International Pepper Community (IPC) quality committee, bringing together representatives from five IPC member countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and India. This event, held on October 11-12 at the Braling Grand Hotel, focuses on strategic issues related to improving the quality of pepper exports. Purbalingga, with its substantial contribution to Indonesia's pepper exports, has exported 15 tons of pepper in 2022, and they have ambitious plans to export 40 tons in 2023. The region's pepper production is recognized for its export quality, and Indonesia ranks as the second-largest pepper exporter globally, following Vietnam.
Despite the growing demand for Purbalingga's pepper, the region faces challenges due to limited available land. To address this, local authorities are working on forming a cooperative of pepper farmers, aiming to create a unified business entity with standardized cultivation practices. This initiative seeks to ensure the quality of the exported pepper and meet the rising demand, such as the request for a 400-ton shipment from importers after a successful 15-ton export to Japan in 2022. This commitment to improving the quality and export potential of Purbalingga's pepper industry has the potential to make a significant impact on the region's economy and the global pepper market.
