Indonesia’s seafood export value reached USD 4.8 billion from January to October 2024, a growth from USD 4.61 billion during the same period in 2023, according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fisheries Products (PDSPKP), Budi Sulistyo, expressed optimism that total exports will surpass USD 5 billion by year-end. "As of October 2024, the figure stands at USD 4.81 billion, marking a significant rise. We expect it to exceed USD 5 billion by December," Budi stated during a press conference on Monday (16/12/2024). The United States was the largest market with USD 1.56 billion in imports, followed by China (USD 0.99 billion), ASEAN countries (USD 0.65 billion), Japan (USD 0.49 billion), and the European Union (USD 0.35 billion). Key export products include shrimp, tuna, skipjack, squid, octopus, crab, and seaweed.
Looking ahead, the KKP projects robust export opportunities, particularly for tuna and tilapia. Demand for tuna is expected to surge in markets like the U.S., with estimates of 300,000 tons, primarily for frozen whole tuna, and the European Union, forecasting 889,000 tons, mainly canned products. Japan’s tuna demand is also anticipated to rise by 4%, reaching 249,000 tons. Budi emphasized the need to capitalize on these opportunities to enhance Indonesia's global market competitiveness. "We will share this data with processors and cultivators to align strategies and seize these market potentials. Tilapia is also a growing opportunity, and we aim to boost export performance further," Budi concluded.
