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URABAYA: State plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara X (PTPN X) has expanded its Japanese edamame bean exports market to cover the US and Europe. So far, the edamame bean exports, which are produced by PTPN X subsidiary PT Mitratani Dua Tujuh, have been primarily destined for Japanese consumers.

'€œWe target to export 1,200 tons of edamame beans to Europe and the US of all the total exports to all countries that are targeted to reach 7,578 tons,'€ Mitratani Dua Tujuh director Wasis Pramono said Tuesday, as quoted by Tempo.co.

Previously, in 2014, Mitratani'€™s edamame exports to Europe and the US only reached 627.7 tons and in 2013 they hit 511.1 tons. '€œThe trend of exports to Europe and the US continue to increase and is very prospective,'€ Wasis said.

Edamame bean exports, which dominate Mitratani'€™s revenues, are expected to reach 6,016 tons this year, up 47 percent from last year'€™s 4,097 tons. The company'€™s other exports include okra and beans.

As in Japan, requirements to expand into the European and US markets are very tight, especially in regards to hygiene. One of the supporting requirements is a British Retail Consortium (BRC) audit. '€œBRC certification on hygiene and food quality need to be continuously updated. We also have to be open for third party direct audits every year,'€ Wasis said.