Koperasi Taruna Bina Mandiri (TBM) in Kaubun District, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province, has successfully exported its local specialty, grecek kepok bananas, to international markets since 2021. According to TBM Chairman Priyanto, the cooperative began exporting these bananas in mid-2021 and has continuously innovated to attract international interest. The primary export destinations for grecek kepok bananas include Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. Starting this year (2024), Japan has also requested supplies of these bananas. TBM exports approximately 200 tons of grecek kepok bananas monthly, sending raw bananas to Malaysia and Singapore, while South Korea and Japan receive processed products such as boiled bananas or banana chips. TBM sources grecek kepok bananas monthly from hundreds of cooperative members who each have one to five hectares of farmland, yielding four to five tons per hectare per month. This year, export demand has increased to about 300 tons per month, raising the total international market demand to 500 tons monthly.

For the local market, TBM supplies about 30 tons per day, totaling 900 tons monthly, to regions including Sangatta, Bontang, Samarinda, and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, as well as South Kalimantan, East Java, and Bali. Local market demand has also seen an increase of around 30%. The cooperative's monthly harvest, collected to meet both local and international demands, generates an annual turnover of approximately IDR 86 billion, Priyanto noted. Responding to the rising demand, Dyah Ratna Ningrum, Head of the Food Crops, Horticulture, and Livestock Agency (DTPHP) of East Kutai Regency, stated that the local government aims to expand and develop grecek kepok banana production. The government plans to increase the planting area in Long Mesangat and Muara Ancalong Districts, supported by the National Budget (APBN) for the purchase of 10,000 grecek kepok banana seedlings. TBM is a member of the Indonesian Vegetable and Fruit Exporters Association (Aesbi), which facilitates the marketing of grecek kepok bananas. The cooperative has received recognition from the East Kutai Regency Government for its active role in boosting banana exports. Grecek kepok bananas, a local variety from East Kutai, are popular in several countries due to their distinct sweet taste and soft texture.

Source: https://mediakaltim.com/pisang-kepok-grecek-khas-kutai-timur-tembus-pasar-internasional/?amp