Indonesia ships cultivated ornamental corals to US

The corals were cultivated by PT Sri Kandi Aquarium, a local aquaculture company based in Ketapang, Banyuwangi, East Java.

Santoso emphasized that the government will continue to promote local products while providing comprehensive marketing and training support for local businesses.

He noted that the Trade Ministry currently operates trade representative offices and Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs) in 33 countries to facilitate these efforts.

“Their mandate is to connect with prospective buyers and promote Indonesian products on the global stage, including commodities produced by MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) right here in Banyuwangi,” Santoso explained.

I Ketut Sukandi, owner of the aquaculture company, said the shipment bound for the US comprised approximately 200 pieces of cultivated live ornamental coral.

“We also export to several European countries six to seven times a month on average. Each shipment is valued at around $2,500, depending on the order,” Sukandi said.

Since its establishment in 2011, the company has successfully cultivated and exported 29 species of live coral.

“One of the most highly sought-after varieties in the global market is Euphyllia coral. Our export market currently spans 20 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Poland, the United States, Canada, and Mexico,” he added.

Prior to the shipment, Minister Santoso and Deputy Head of Banyuwangi District Mujiono inspected the cultivation facility. The delegation observed the operations firsthand, reviewing everything from the coral transplantation process to the final packaging procedures for export.

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Translator: Novi Husdinariyanto, Uyu Liman