Indonesia Eyes Aquaculture Exports to Saudi Arabia for Pilgrims

Ishartini, Head of the KKP Quality Control and Monitoring Agency, explained that the ministry has been included in an integrated team established by Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan to advance the initiative, with a special focus on the needs of Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

She said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday that the government has begun talks with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), seeking a permit for Indonesian farmed fish shipments to the Gulf state.

“It is true that we have yet to secure the permit, but the process is already underway. In fact, we have met all the requirements put forward by the SFDA,” Ishartini remarked.

The official expressed optimism that the cross-institution team would succeed in paving the way for Indonesia to supply its pilgrims with domestic fish products.

“Let’s just wait for the outcome. We can expect the integrated team for the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem to help allow the entry of national aquaculture products into the Saudi Arabian market,” she concluded.

According to KKP data, Indonesia’s aquaculture produced 15.75 million tonnes in 2024, with major commodities including 9.85 million tonnes of seaweed, 1.56 million tonnes of tilapia, 1.15 million tonnes of catfish, 798,864 tonnes of milkfish, 523,796 tonnes of goldfish, and 381,969 tonnes of pangasius.

Indonesia’s plan to export aquaculture commodities for pilgrimage purposes was first highlighted by Hajj and Umrah Minister Mochamad Irfan Yusuf during a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta on 10 February.

The initiative followed Indonesia’s success in securing a permit to export domestic rice to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj season.