The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is harnessing North Sulawesi’s (Sulut) fisheries potential to boost Indonesia’s seafood exports. Over the past four years, Sulut’s export volume has steadily increased, reaching 42 countries. Ishartini, Head of the KKP Quality Agency, highlighted that both the quantity and quality of exports have improved, positioning Sulut among the top 10 provinces for export value, alongside East Java, Jakarta, Banten, South Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Central Java, Bali, and West Java. From 2021 to 2024, Sulut’s fishery exports grew from 20,838 tons to 28,056 tons, with a peak value of USD 162.7 million (approximately IDR 2.6 trillion) in 2024. Key markets include the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, and others. Major exports include tuna, skipjack, grouper, smoked fish, seaweed, and marlin.
To support this growth, the KKP Quality Agency has implemented nine certifications to meet international food safety and quality standards. These include certifications for hatcheries, fish farming, processing, fish feed, and distribution systems. Ishartini emphasized that these certifications have bolstered consumer trust and global competitiveness. The agency works closely with regional governments to ensure consistent quality assurance for both export and domestic markets. Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono reaffirmed that the establishment of the KKP Quality Agency is vital in strengthening quality assurance, diversifying export markets, and supporting the national goal of providing healthy fish-based food while improving the welfare of fishing communities.
