The Balai Karantina Hewan, Ikan dan Tumbuhan (Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Office) in South Sumatra (Karantina Sumsel) undertook an assessment of the Plant Quarantine Installation (IKT) for palm kernel expeller (PKE) products in the OKI Regency. These by-products of palm oil are destined for export to New Zealand. This evaluation of the IKT is a prerequisite facility demanded by the destination country. According to Kostan Manalu, Head of Karantina Sumsel, ensuring compliance with all phytosanitary requirements of the destination country is essential. The quarantine office is actively facilitating and expediting the fulfillment of these requirements. Manalu elaborated that this animal feed commodity is highly sought after by importing nations such as the Netherlands, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Over the period from 2022 to 2024, South Sumatra has exported approximately 369 thousand tons of PKE. In 2022, the region exported 157 tons, increasing to 169 tons the following year. Up to May of this year, South Sumatra has exported 41 tons of this palm waste product.
He further explained that the brown-colored palm kernel expeller, in powder form, consists of the palm kernel's core and embryo. It is highly beneficial for animal feed due to its rich content of essential components like crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, and others. The assessment of the IKT comprises both document evaluation and technical requirements on the field, necessitating compliance with the destination country's regulations. The Indonesian Quarantine Agency, as the competent authority in meeting sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, continues to provide guidance and support to exporters to meet these requirements. This endeavor aligns with the directives from the Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Sahat M Panggabean, urging all quarantine offices to collaborate in aiding exporters and SMEs to meet quarantine requirements from destination countries. This collaborative effort aims to enhance economic value in the region and bolster the country's foreign exchange reserves. "We are always open, proactive, and stand alongside exporters and SMEs, whether established or new, to assist them in meeting these requirements," emphasized Manalu.
