The Indonesian Exporters Association (GPEI) has identified significant export opportunities for Central Java's fisheries products in the Middle Eastern market, with demand from countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. "Currently, these countries source their products live from Sukabumi, shipped via air," said Ade Siti Muksodah, Chairperson of GPEI Central Java, on Monday, 27 May 2024. Ade emphasized that Central Java is well-positioned to meet this demand. For example, the milkfish from Semarang is of superior quality compared to other regions. However, this potential remains largely untapped by local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which primarily serve the domestic market. "While the local market is important, Middle Eastern consumers are also interested in our fisheries products," Ade noted. To capitalize on these export opportunities, GPEI Central Java is collaborating with Semarang State University (Unnes) to provide training and support for milkfish MSMEs in Semarang. Ade explained that this partnership aims to help MSME producers enhance their production capacity and quality to access export markets.
In Central Java, the production and processing of milkfish are still underdeveloped. According to Fendiawan Tiskiantoro, Head of the Central Java Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office, the region's fishery exports are currently dominated by blue swimming crabs. "Blue swimming crabs are our top export, followed by shrimp, squid, surimi (minced fish), and ribbonfish. These five commodities are the mainstay in Central Java due to their high production and processing levels," he said. The blue swimming crab farming centers are located along the southern coast in Purworejo and Cilacap. Despite regulations from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries permitting the export of blue swimming crab larvae, no such exports have been recorded yet. "We are monitoring this closely and will update the community accordingly. We are awaiting guidance from the Ministry," Fendiawan added.
