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After Exporting $2.2m Sardines to Germany, Minister: High-Quality Banyuwangi Products
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ndustry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita released on Oct. 19 an export of sardine products to Germany from Banyuwangi, one of Indonesia’s largest exporters of sardines, under a contract valued at US $2.2 million.
The sardine products were produced by Pacific Harvest, a seafood processing company located in Muncar district, Banyuwangi.
Attending the export release event were Banyuwangi Deputy Regent Sugirah and Pacific Harvest owner Aminoto, as well as officials from the Industry Ministry.
Minister Gumiwang hailed the success in entering the German market as an indication of the high quality of canned fish products from Banyuwangi.
"Germany is known as a European country that applies high standards for imported goods. The entry of Banyuwangi sardines into the German market signifies the very high quality of Banyuwangi products," he said.
Gumiwang noted that Germany was among the markets that were challenging for Indonesian export products to enter, especially food products. The successful entry of Pacific Harvest products indicated the high processing standards in place at the company’s Banyuwangi canning plant.
"This means that from the raw materials to the production and canning processes, everything has passed the quality standards. Hopefully, more European countries will follow suit in the future," said the minister.
Gumiwang added that Indonesia was among the top 10 seafood product exporters in the world, and expressed his optimism that the productivity of Banyuwangi’s fish canning and processing plants would contribute to boosting the country to rank among the world’s top five seafood exporters.
"I have communicated to increase the productivity at this plant to double the current level. The government will provide support, such as raw materials and cans for packaging," he said.
Pacific Harvest export manager Anang Kurniawan said that the release of the canned fish products to Germany would fulfill a $2.2 million contract for a total of 30 containers of canned fish products, comprising 12 containers of canned sardines and 18 containers of canned tuna.
"Germany is our new market. Previously, our largest export markets were Asian and African countries. In total, we export to 75 countries," Anang added.
Pacific Harvest exports 80 containers of canned sardines and tuna worth $8 million each month.
"For tuna, 100 percent of the raw materials are from Indonesia. Sardines are currently at 70 percent [raw materials], with the remaining 30 percent imported. With the government’s support, we are optimistic that we can double our production from the current level," he said.
Deputy regent Sugirah said fish exports contributed significantly by stimulating the Banyuwangi economy, adding that around 5,000 Muncar residents were employed at Pacific Harvest’s canning plant.
"Sustainable export activities and an expanding market for canned fish products also stimulate the economy of Banyuwangi residents," he said.
Muncar district is known for its large fisheries potential, and Muncar Port is synonymous with its main commodity, Sardinella lemuru, which is widely caught by local fishers and then processed into sardine products.
