Local networks hinder exotic fruit exports

Local networks hinder exotic fruit exports

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia holds the potential to become a major
world exporter of exotic fruit if it can deliver on the need for
regular supply, a senior official from the Ministry of
Agriculture said on Wednesday.

"Many countries have requested shipments of several exotic
fruits, such as mangostene and snake fruit," Director General of
Food Crops and Horticulture Production Winarno said after
attending a briefing on Indonesia's participation in an upcoming
fruit and agribusiness exhibition in Berlin.

The problem is that traders could not guarantee regular supply
because they in turn depended on small farmers.

He recommended the establishment of a network of cooperatives
to ensure constant supply.

It would also stabilize market prices, he added.

Many types of fruit from Indonesia also fail to meet strict
quality standards imposed by importing countries, he said.

Winarno believed farmers would be able to meet the
international standards with proper training.

"If other countries can do it, why can't we?" he said, citing
Thailand, where agribusiness, including exotic fruits, has become
one of the country's major export earners.

Thailand is particularly strong in research, he said, noting
its development of a type of durian which was "less smelly".

Indonesia's agriculture research focuses chiefly on rice and
corn.

The government has encouraged companies to join international
exhibitions, including the Fruit Logistica and International
Green Week exhibitions in Berlin, both in January.

Fruit exports are expected to reach US$15.2 million in 1999,
down from $16.2 million last year, according to the Ministry of
Trade and Industry.

The head of market research and communication of the German-
Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (EKONID), Thomas
Brandt, said he hoped Indonesian companies would attend the
exhibitions because they would provide them with gateways to
international markets.

"I am convinced there will be some companies from Indonesia
attending these two exhibitions," Brandt said.

Fruit Logistica is an exhibition for fruit producers, with 413
exhibitors from 27 countries and 6,863 traders registered so far.

The International Green Week Berlin focuses on food,
agribusiness and horticultural products, with 1,578 exhibitors
and 481,000 visitors registered. (02)