ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia is strengthening its foothold in the East Asian seafood market as the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) projects a surge in seafood exports to Taiwan and South Korea ahead of the 2026 Lunar New Year. The optimism follows the issuance of 33 new export approval numbers, granting wider market access to Indonesian seafood processors.
The newly issued approvals allow 33 Indonesian Fish Processing Units (UPIs) to export directly to two of East Asia’s most tightly regulated seafood markets, known for strict food safety and hygiene standards.
Head of KKP’s Agency for Quality Control and Supervision of Marine and Fishery Products, Ishartini, said the approvals were secured after intensive coordination between competent authorities and the completion of joint pre-border inspections.
“We have officially received notifications from the authorities of Taiwan and South Korea regarding the approval numbers granted to 33 newly proposed Indonesian processing units,” Ishartini said in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
33 Companies Expand Indonesia’s Presence in East Asia
Of the 33 approved companies, 15 processing units are now authorized to export seafood products to South Korea, including PT Belawan Samudera Abadi, PT Muara Laut Sejahtera, PT Samudra Sinar Harapan, PT Kiu Kiu Fishery, and PT Djakarta Mina Persada.
Meanwhile, 18 companies have obtained approval to export to Taiwan, among them PT Samudra Sinar Harapan, PT Muara Laut Sejahtera, PT Bahari Asnimindo Seafood, PT Kiu Kiu Fishery, and PT Hasil Samudera Melimpah.
With these additions, the total number of Indonesian companies holding export approval now stands at 710 for South Korea and 711 for Taiwan, underscoring Indonesia’s growing role as a key seafood supplier in the East Asian region.
Lunar New Year Demand Drives Export Momentum
According to KKP data, Indonesia exported 26,107 tons of seafood to South Korea in 2025, valued at approximately USD 87.3 million, while exports to Taiwan reached 57,308 tons, worth around USD 106.35 million.
Key export commodities to South Korea include shrimp cracker pellets, dried Eucheuma cottonii seaweed, frozen Itoyori surimi, and frozen Argentina red shrimp.
For Taiwan, high-value products such as live Babylon shell, live nylon shell, frozen squid, frozen tilapia belly meat, and live hard clam dominate shipments—products that typically see heightened demand during the Lunar New Year period.
Meeting East Asia’s Stringent Standards
KKP emphasized that export approval numbers are issued only after companies pass rigorous inspections covering sanitation, hygiene, and food safety compliance.
Applications for approval can only be submitted by a recognized competent authority, ensuring credibility and regulatory alignment with importing countries.
With 33 additional companies now cleared to access Taiwan and South Korea, Indonesia is not only targeting higher export volumes but also reinforcing its strategic position in the East Asian seafood supply chain, particularly as demand peaks ahead of Lunar New Year 2026. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel