The fisheries and marine sector in Central Java is growing rapidly and making a significant contribution to the region's economy. Rahmat Dwisaputra, Head of Bank Indonesia's Representative Office in Central Java, highlighted the sector’s major role in exports, with marine and fisheries product exports in 2023 reaching 69.28 million tons, valued at IDR 4.32 trillion—an increase from 60.09 million tons in 2022. This places Central Java sixth nationally in fisheries exports. With the right strategies, the region could become a hub for high-quality fisheries products, serving both domestic and international markets. Bank Indonesia is supporting this growth by providing downstream food processing facilities to 8 businesses in the sector, empowering SMEs and helping stabilize prices.
The Central Java Fish Market 2024 event, held on November 12, 2024, also served as an important moment in encouraging food inflation control, particularly through increasing fish consumption. In October 2024, food inflation in Central Java was recorded at 0.53% (mtm), with chicken meat contributing the most to the inflation rate. This event aimed to educate the public about the benefits of fish as a high-quality source of animal protein, under the theme "Fish Protein for Central Java's Golden Generation." This aligns with Central Java's vision of producing healthy, intelligent, and productive youth by 2045. Additionally, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector in Central Java contributed 13.51% to the region's economy, making it the second-largest sector after the manufacturing industry. The event also featured various exciting activities, including a Seafood Festival, Children's Storytelling, HPI and SURIKAN Education, a Nutrition Composition Talkshow, and a Millennial Cooking Contest with 53 participants from vocational schools across Central Java. It is hoped that this event will strengthen collaboration between the government, businesses, and the community, accelerating the transformation of the fisheries and marine sector into a more innovative and sustainable industry.
