The Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency of North Sulawesi has confirmed that 20 tons of grated coconut from the region are safe and ready for export to the Netherlands. "Processed coconut products are a leading agricultural commodity from North Sulawesi that are highly sought after in international markets," said I Wayan Kertanegara, Head of the Quarantine Agency, in Manado on Tuesday. Before being allowed for export, the coconut products undergo thorough inspections by the North Sulawesi Quarantine Agency to ensure they meet all required standards. The agency, through the Port Service Unit (Satpel) at Bitung Seaport, inspected 26 tons of grated coconut from PT Tropika Cocoprima (TCP) before shipment to the Netherlands. This inspection included physical and administrative checks as well as health assessments of the carrier media to verify the type, quantity, size, and completeness of the necessary documentation required by the destination country.
Additionally, these inspections ensure the products are free from quarantine plant pests (OPTK), such as warehouse pests. Dwi Rachmanto, the Head of the Plant Quarantine Team, explained that grated coconut is considered a low-risk carrier for OPTK, meaning it poses minimal risk in spreading quarantine pests to the destination country. This is because the grated coconut has undergone processing according to the standards set by the importing country. The Quarantine Agency not only plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of animal, fish, and plant diseases between regions and countries but also in ensuring food safety, as stipulated in Law No. 21 of 2019. The agency provides assurances about the quality of agricultural products exported to various countries. In summary, North Sulawesi’s rigorous quarantine measures have ensured that the 20 tons of grated coconut are compliant with international standards and ready for export, contributing to the region's reputation for high-quality agricultural exports.
