The Acting Governor of South Sumatra, Elen Setiadi, along with the Head of the Financial Services Authority of South Sumatra and Babel, Arifin Susanto, the Head of South Sumatra Quarantine, Kostan Manalu, and the Head of the Plant Quarantine Work Team, Anita Setyawati, held a press conference regarding the first coffee export from South Sumatra to Australia and Malaysia. The event, which took place on January 14, 2025, at the OJK South Sumatra and Babel office's ballroom, also marked the kick-off of regional economic development through the sustainable financing ecosystem for South Sumatra’s leading commodities. Elen highlighted that South Sumatra is the largest coffee producer in Indonesia, emphasizing that the region is not only focusing on exports but is also developing an entire ecosystem—from harvesting to financial support—with the aim of strengthening the economy and driving growth.
The first shipment will include 19.8 tons of green bean coffee, consisting of 8.64 tons of Arabica Grade 1 Specialty from Semendo and 11.16 tons of Robusta Grade 1 from Pagaralam, which will be exported to Australia by PT. Asya Sila Nusantara. An additional 8.64 tons of Robusta Grade 4 from Pagaralam will be sent to Malaysia via PT. Agri Ekspor Indonesia through the Boom Baru Port in Palembang. Kostan explained that coffee destined for Malaysia would undergo fumigation to comply with the destination country's requirements, ensuring it is free from pests. This step is part of Indonesia’s quarantine process, which ensures the health and safety of exported commodities. Furthermore, Anita clarified that each export destination has its own protocols, citing Malaysia's requirement for fumigation in accordance with the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 43. Kostan reaffirmed that South Sumatra Quarantine is committed to supporting international trade, echoing the statement of Sahat Manaor Panggabean, the Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, who expressed hopes that partner countries will see Indonesia as a strategic trade partner.
