REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Indonesian export of fishery product in January-July is increasing in term of volume and value. The export volume increases around 14.7 percent, while the value rises 16.5 percent compared to the previous term in 2011.
For seven consecutive months, Indonesia has exported 691.3 thousand tonnes or 2.2 billion USD. Last year, the export volume was only 602.7 thousand tonnes or 1.9 billion USD.
Shrimp is still Indonesian prime commodity with the value reaches 746.6 million USD. The export of tuna reaches 332 million USD while crab expoert increasing on 35.1 percent with the value of 211.1 million USD. Frozen tuna and canned tuna also undergo significant growth in export.
Meanwhile, fisheries import in January-July is decreasing around 31.7 percent or becomes 182.7 thousand tonnes on volume. Seeing from its value, the import decreases around 22.2 percent or becomes 224.1 million USD.
The People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA), Abdul Halim, reminded government to pay attention for local fish consumption. He is worried on the lack of supply for domestic demand. This year, government targets the fisheries export to reach 4.2 billion USD. Government will likely increase the export target in 2013 to 6.5 billion.