ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia has successfully regained access to the European Union’s aquaculture market after being reinstated on the EU’s list of countries authorized to export farmed fishery products to the bloc’s 27 member states.
The development follows the adoption of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1189 on June 4, 2026, which officially includes Indonesia among countries permitted to export aquaculture products to the European market.
The decision comes as a major relief for Indonesia’s aquaculture industry, which had faced uncertainty after the country was omitted from the list of eligible exporting nations under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2598.
“This is certainly welcome news, as business operators had been concerned about Indonesia’s absence from the list of countries authorized to export aquaculture products to the European Union,” said Ishartini, Head of the Marine and Fisheries Product Quality Control and Supervision Agency under Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) quoted on Friday, June 18, 2026.
According to Ishartini, Indonesia’s reinstatement was the result of intensive negotiations and sustained diplomatic engagement with European authorities. The ministry worked closely with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), including direct meetings in Brussels aimed at ensuring Indonesia’s compliance with EU food safety and quality standards.
The effort was supported by multiple stakeholders, including the European Union Delegation in Jakarta, the Indonesian Embassy in Brussels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Trade.
“Throughout the negotiation process, KKP acted proactively and intensively to safeguard the interests of Indonesia’s aquaculture industry. Indonesia’s inclusion on the list ensures that access to the EU market remains open and sustainable,” Ishartini said.
The European Union is one of the world’s largest seafood markets, with per capita fish consumption averaging between 24 and 25 kilograms annually. Combined with an average annual income of approximately €37,900, the bloc represents a highly attractive premium market for global seafood exporters.
The renewed market access is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s exports of farmed seafood products, including shrimp, milkfish, and catfish, while creating new opportunities for the country’s growing aquaculture sector.
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has repeatedly emphasized the importance of diversifying export destinations to enhance the resilience of Indonesia’s fisheries industry. The European Union currently ranks as the fifth-largest destination for Indonesian fishery exports.
Indonesia is also promoting tilapia as a new export growth driver. Often referred to in the industry as the “aquatic chicken” due to its affordability, scalability, and broad consumer appeal, tilapia is increasingly viewed as a promising product for meeting rising European demand for sustainable aquatic protein.
Beyond preserving export opportunities, Indonesia’s return to the EU-approved list is seen as a strong endorsement of the country’s fisheries quality assurance and food safety systems, reinforcing its position in one of the world’s most demanding seafood markets. (AT Network)
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