PT Ekspor Indonesia Aja – Milkfish (Chanos chanos) is one of Indonesia’s fisheries commodities that has long served as a local food source and is now increasingly recognized as an export product with enormous market growth potential. Indonesia has a strong competitive advantage in developing milkfish as a leading export commodity that can make a significant contribution to national foreign exchange earnings and improve the welfare of fishermen in Indonesia.
Generally, exported milkfish comes from aquaculture activities such as brackish water ponds and freshwater ponds, with a smaller portion originating from wild catches in coastal waters. Exported milkfish products vary widely, ranging from fresh and frozen whole fish or fillets to processed products such as canned pressure cooked milkfish, fish floss, and milkfish crackers. Milkfish products are exported to several countries, particularly in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
The benefits and advantages of milkfish as an export commodity lie in its characteristics, including its delicious taste and high nutritional value, as it is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various essential vitamins. In addition, milkfish has relatively good durability during transportation when managed with proper cold chain systems, making it suitable for long distance distribution to international markets.
Requirements for marketing milkfish in international markets include compliance with strict food safety and quality standards. Destination countries such as Japan and the European Union require products to meet HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) standards, obtain food safety certifications, and undergo testing for hazardous substances such as mercury and pesticides within safe limits. Furthermore, some markets also require Halal certification, particularly countries with predominantly Muslim populations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Packaging that meets international standards is also a crucial factor in maintaining product quality during transportation and enhancing its appeal in overseas markets.
Nevertheless, several challenges must be addressed in developing milkfish exports. Price fluctuations in international markets due to competition with rival countries such as Thailand and Vietnam often pose obstacles, along with the risk of product quality deterioration caused by suboptimal infrastructure in certain regions. In addition, climate change affecting water quality and fish health, as well as limitations in the supply of high quality fish feed, are important factors that need attention.
Considering its great potential and increasing support, milkfish has a bright opportunity to become one of Indonesia’s leading fisheries export commodities in the future. By focusing on quality improvement, compliance with international standards, and the development of innovative products, the milkfish export business can deliver greater economic benefits across the entire Indonesian fisheries value chain.
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