The former chairman of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo), Roy Mandey, founded the Indonesian Frozen Food Entrepreneurs Association (APFFI), which represents micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) in the frozen food sector. APFFI was established to support Indonesian UMKM in expanding their export presence, with a focus on Central Asia and the Middle East markets. At present, APFFI is exploring opportunities for cooperation with Uzbekistan and Dubai, with communication already established with the Uzbekistan Embassy and trade partners at the Dubai Chambers. Uzbekistan is interested in exploring opportunities for the export of cherries to Indonesia. In response, Indonesia has proposed the exchange of frozen food products.
According to Roy, the frozen food market in Indonesia is significant, with an estimated annual value of IDR 500 trillion. However, despite this significant potential, there is no official association, making it difficult to expand. The formation of APFFI is expected to consolidate UMKM, particularly in the frozen food sector, advocate for policies and regulations that hinder growth, and drive market expansion up to export levels. The Head of the National Food Agency, Arief Prasetyo Adi, has expressed his support for the establishment of APFFI. Frozen food businesses play a vital role in strengthening national food security reserves, particularly in remote, outer, underdeveloped, and border areas (3TP). Ikhwan Setiawan, a business actor from Yogyakarta and a member of APFFI, stated that the challenges encountered pertain to market dynamics, tax regulations and distribution permits. The majority of frozen food business actors already have Taxable Entrepreneur (PKP) status, while many UMKM do not. It is hoped that the association will resolve the situation.
