Employment absorption and foreign exchange earnings are key functions of the industrial sector that the government continues to promote. To this end, the government supports industries that innovate to enhance their competitiveness and expand their markets. One such industry is the pre-rolled cone industry, which is labor-intensive and export-oriented. “The pre-rolled cone industry is innovative, capturing niche markets abroad with increasing demand from tobacco shops. Additionally, this industry employs a significant number of workers, particularly women,” stated the Director General of Agro-Industry at the Ministry of Industry, Putu Juli Ardika, during his visit to Bali on May 17. One notable producer of pre-rolled cones in Indonesia is PT Mitra Prodin, located in Bali. The company has an installed capacity of 2 billion cones per year and employs 4,556 workers. In 2021, PT Mitra Prodin successfully sold over 746 million pre-rolled cones worldwide, supported by its commitment to the highest industry standards, including compliance with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Canadian health regulations.
Director General Ardika noted that while domestic demand for pre-rolled cone products in Indonesia remains low, global demand is rising, presenting opportunities for local producers to develop export-oriented products. Globally, the trade value of pre-rolled cones in 2022 reached USD 903 million, with Indonesia accounting for USD 61.8 million or 3.53% of the global trade value. “This represents a significant opportunity for Indonesian pre-rolled cone products to expand further into the global market,” he said. Robert Hensy, CEO of PT Mitra Prodin, reiterated the company’s commitment to empowering local human resources in its operations. “The company is also committed to using local raw materials in the development of its pre-rolled cones,” he concluded.
