Fresh Fish from Kalimantan's Coast Penetrates Global Markets

In every box containing fish, crab, or shrimp neatly packed and ready for export, lies a long story from the coast of East Kalimantan. Stretching along the eastern side of Borneo Island, the 1,526-kilometre coastline from the southern tip of Penajam Paser Utara Regency to the northern tip of Berau Regency is dotted with wide river estuaries, dense mangrove swamps, and nutrient-rich offshore waters.

For years, these marine products were mostly known and consumed in local markets or sent to large cities on Java Island. But now, the winds of change are blowing strong. Through direct flights and increasingly modern management, the marine wealth of East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim) is crossing oceans and continents, arriving fresh at consumers’ tables thousands of kilometres away.

Since mid-May 2026, a new chapter in East Kalimantan’s seafood trade officially began. Via Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport, Sepinggan, Balikpapan, a dedicated cargo plane now routinely flies twice a week, every Monday and Thursday, directly to Wenzhou, China. Each flight can carry 7 to 12 tonnes of high-value commodities. In a short time, this route has boosted the monthly shipment volume of fresh fish and other marine products to 56 tonnes.

This figure is not just a statistic; it is tangible proof that time efficiency, quality management, and policy support can transform a region’s fisheries sector, overcoming geographical barriers. In the fresh commodity trade, time is life. Previously, East Kalimantan’s seafood had to transit through several cities, with every lost hour degrading quality and value. Now, a journey that once took days is completed in just hours. Once the plane lands in Wenzhou, the goods are in nearly the same condition as when they were harvested.

“This step eliminates the risk of spoilage, maintains freshness, and makes East Kalimantan’s products more trusted by international markets with strict standards,” said Irma Listiawati, Head of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Product Competitiveness Division at the East Kalimantan Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP).