REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANADO -- Japan has become a potential market for katsuobushi fish from North Sulawesi, a local trade service official said here on Tuesday. "The export of the dried bonito stick (katsuobushi) fish to Japan has reached 11.2 tons in March, contributing to 9.18 million yen," North Sulawesi province's head of industry and trade service, Jenny Karouw, stated.
He noted that the katsuobushi from North Sulawesi has been known for its quality and known for its high demand among Japanese buyers. "Besides being used as food, the fish is also processed to make perfumes, because of its characteristic aroma," he pointed out.
He asserted that the government would continue facilitating exporters in the province with regard to widening its export destinations to cover not only Japan and the US but also Europe, Africa, and other countries in Asia and America. The government would continue to ease the paper work process for exports to be done in a day, he added. "We are striving to make the process to be completed in a day to preserve the markets," he remarked.
The katsuobushi fish made from tuna in North Sulawesi is different from those found in other regions with regard to its high quality and taste.