Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has announced a significant step to revolutionize its tuna export industry. A deal with Japan is in the works to eliminate tariffs on exports of tuna, skipjack, and eastern little tuna, part of the revised Indonesia–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA).

“With no tariffs, our tuna and skipjack exports will become more competitive, and we are optimistic that Indonesia can become the number one supplier to Japan,” stated Machmud, acting director general for the Competitiveness Strengthening of Marine and Fisheries Products (PDS) at KKP.

Currently, exports of both canned and non-canned processed tuna products from Indonesia to Japan incur a hefty export tax of 9.6%. The elimination of this tariff is expected to significantly boost Indonesia’s position in this lucrative market.

Market Overview

Indonesia’s tuna and skipjack exports to Japan are valued at approximately $30.28 million, placing the country third in terms of tuna export rankings. Furthermore, these exports have shown a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.28%, surpassing competitors like Thailand and the Philippines, which recorded CAGRs of 12.12% and 6.31%, respectively.

Tuna and skipjack are among Indonesia’s second-largest export commodities, contributing a substantial 17% market share.

Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono expressed confidence in expanding these exports to not only Japan but also Singapore and other global markets. A crucial factor in this expansion will be the development of cold storage facilities to maintain product quality, enhance competitiveness, and broaden market access.

Improving Traceability

To fortify its competitive edge, Indonesia recently implemented a groundbreaking seafood traceability system. Launched in November last year, the National Fish Traceability and Logistics System (Stelina) adheres to the standards set by the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), making Indonesia the first country to develop such a system nationally.

The adoption of the GDST standards through Stelina is a strategic move aimed at enhancing Indonesia’s position in the global seafood market. With increasing buyer demand for supply chain transparency, ensuring legal, sustainable, and responsible fishing and processing practices has never been more critical.

Stelina will enable stakeholders to trace the origin of their fish, providing insight into specific catching methods and processing details. This capability is expected to build international confidence in Indonesian seafood exports, further boosting the nation’s economy.

Looking ahead, KKP plans to extend Stelina across all significant fishing centers in Indonesia. This initiative aims to strengthen product traceability, support fisheries downstream, and create added value along the supply chain while fostering national economic growth and ecological sustainability.