East Kolaka Regency in Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) is home to a variety of agricultural and plantation products with significant potential for expansion into international markets. One of the key commodities with high export potential is cocoa, with a plantation area of 57,916 hectares and a production volume of 18,188 tons in 2022. Apart from cocoa, other valuable commodities include cloves, copra (dried coconut), robusta coffee, pepper, nutmeg, and palm oil. These products offer a diverse range of agricultural opportunities for the region, and efforts are being made to boost their export potential to support local economic growth.
To further promote agricultural and plantation exports, representatives from the East Kolaka Regional Parliament (DPRD), including Commission I Chairman Eka Saputra, Commission II Chairman Suprianto, and Commission III Chairman Irwansyah, recently conducted a working visit to the Kendari Customs Office.
Trisman, the Head of Kendari Customs, highlighted that this visit demonstrates the seriousness of the local government in developing the regional economy, especially in areas related to customs, export procedures, and trade facilitation. In addition to individual commodity growth, East Kolaka is also focusing on integrated agriculture, which combines food crops, horticulture, plantations, livestock, and fisheries. This integrated approach is expected to create a more sustainable and diversified economy. Local authorities are optimistic that these efforts will help position East Kolaka as a key supplier of national food needs. With new regional regulations in place, the goal is to develop East Kolaka into an agropolitan city, facilitating further agricultural development and economic growth.
