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Fruit, vegetable importers may have to buy local harvests
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A variety of fruits are on sale at a booth at the Fruit Indonesia 2016 expo at Gelora Bung Karno hall, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday. (Antara/Widodo S. Jusuf)
T
he government is mulling on a new import mechanism for fruits and vegetables that will urge importers to accommodate local harvests, as part of efforts to strengthen the horticulture industry in the tropical fruit and vegetable-rich country.
Trade Minister Enggartiasto “Enggar” Lukita said he would maintain fruit and vegetable import levels but would ask importers to also buy and distribute local harvests. Further details on the new mechanism would be announced soon.
“If we can ask them [to buy local harvests], the welfare of our farmers can be better secured. Production keeps falling because there aren't many buyers as they are limited to traditional markets,” he said after a national meeting for agricultural development on Thursday.
The ministry, in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry, is going to map areas based on their horticulture product prominence so that importers can better track suppliers.
Indonesia’s fruit exports amounted to US$775,922 in 2015, mainly to Pakistan, Vietnam and Thailand, while imports totaled $666,373 primarily from China and the United States, according to data from Trade Map. (ags)
