KKP: Reopening wild-caught shrimp exports to Saudi Arabia boosts competitiveness

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) stated that the reopening of Indonesia’s wild-caught shrimp exports to Saudi Arabia will enhance the competitiveness of national fisheries products in the international market.

“When we presented the procedures and implementation of Caesium-137-free certification for the fisheries sector, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was satisfied and subsequently lifted the ban,” said Ishartini, Head of the Marine and Fisheries Product Quality Control and Supervision Agency (Badan Mutu KKP), in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.

Ishartini noted that Saudi Arabia is a strategic market for Indonesian fisheries products, both for local consumption and high demand during Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Saudi Arabia previously imposed a temporary ban on Indonesian wild-caught shrimp exports on 9 September 2025, via notification to the Indonesian Food and Drug Agency (BPOM). The ban was due to Saudi Arabia’s requirement for Caesium-137-free shrimp products.

“When we presented the procedures and implementation of Caesium-137-free certification for the fisheries sector, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) was satisfied and subsequently lifted the ban,” said Ishartini.

She added that the successful lifting of the moratorium was a result of synergy between various ministries and agencies, including the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, KKP, BPOM, the Ministry of Trade, and the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh.

Indonesian Trade Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, Zulvri Yenni, explained that over the past few months, the embassy has been actively engaging and communicating with SFDA, coordinating with the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, BPOM, KKP, and the Ministry of Trade.

Communications from the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Indonesia had successfully implemented Caesium-137-free certification for the fisheries sector, leading SFDA to end the temporary ban.

Marine and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono previously emphasised KKP’s commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of Indonesian fisheries products from upstream capture and aquaculture sectors through downstream distribution, fish processing units, and exporters, consistently aiming to position Indonesian fisheries products as champions in the global market.