Indonesia has solidified its position as the world’s largest exporter of betel nut, providing 35% of the global supply. The traditional practice of chewing betel nut has evolved into a significant export commodity valued in the trillions of IDR. The Minister of Trade is optimistic about the continued growth of betel nut exports with new markets opening in Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. Chewing betel nut, a tradition in Indonesia since ancient times, involves a mixture of betel nut with lime, tobacco, cloves, gambier, and betel leaves, believed to benefit dental and oral health. In industry, betel nut is used in cosmetics, candy, and as a natural dye for fabrics and cotton. The antioxidant content of betel nut makes it crucial in pharmaceuticals for producing dysentery drugs, deworming agents, and mouthwash. Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan announced that Indonesia’s betel nut exports rank first globally. This statement was made during the release of PT Best Star Indonesia’s July 2024 betel nut exports, comprising 28 containers (eight to Saudi Arabia and 20 to Bangladesh) valued at USD 692,000 (IDR 11.10 billion).
The largest markets for betel nut are India, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Minister Hasan hopes the recent exports to Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh will expand market access for Indonesian betel nut products. He praised PT Best Star Indonesia, supported by the Ministry of Trade, for boosting global exports of Indonesian betel nut and empowering farmers in Jambi, Lampung, and Bengkulu. Indonesia’s betel nut product exports from January to May 2024 reached USD 49.1 million. In 2023, exports were USD 127.39 million, with major destinations being Iran (42.11%), India (14.82%), China (10.81%), Bangladesh (9.41%), and Malaysia (5.86%). The Ministry of Trade is committed to supporting national exports through strategies like Free Trade Agreements (FTA), Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA), and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA). Indonesia’s largest trade exhibition, Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), will be held in October 2024. With strong government support and collaborative efforts, Indonesia aims to leverage the export potential of betel nut to boost foreign exchange earnings and improve the welfare of betel nut farmers.
