Shrimp Exports to US Reach Rp11 Trillion Despite Past Cs-137 Contamination, Says KKP

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) states that Indonesia’s shrimp exports to the United States market have reached more than Rp11 trillion, after previously being impacted by the cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination case.

Acting Secretary General of KKP Andy Artha Donny Oktopura in Jakarta on Monday said that Indonesia’s shrimp exports up to 26 April reached around 3,400 containers with a value of Rp11 trillion.

“The proof is that our shrimp exports, which were previously problematic due to the cesium case, as of 26 April this year we have managed to re-export approximately 3,400 containers, which I mentioned earlier is worth more than Rp11 trillion,” Andy stated.

He explained that this success is inseparable from KKP’s efforts to strengthen the overall quality assurance system in the fisheries sector. This system encompasses production processes, processing, and distribution to meet food safety standards both domestically and in the global market.

KKP ensures that all production processes, whether from capture fisheries or aquaculture, meet strict quality standards and have clear traceability systems.

In addition, aspects of processing and packaging have been strengthened through certification to guarantee product safety until it reaches consumers.

Andy added that Indonesia’s food quality assurance system has been internationally recognised because it has been aligned with the standards of export destination countries. One of them is the recognition from the United States authorities regarding Indonesia’s shrimp quality standards.

Previously, as the sole issuing body for cesium-137 (Cs-137)-free certification, KKP expressed its commitment to building a strong and consistent certification scheme.

The institution emphasised that the principle of quality assurance needs to be upheld so that Indonesian fishery commodities can become a mainstay in the global market.