Indonesia strengthening quarantine system to boost exports

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) is strengthening four quarantine systems to boost Indonesia's exports of animal, fish, and plant commodities.

The four are biosecurity, digital traceability, pre-border cooperation, and fast clearance systems.

Head of Barantin Abdul Kadir Karding said in an official statement received on Saturday that upgrading the quarantine systems is essential to enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesian commodities in the international market.

"What the market looks for first is quality, second is biosecurity, third is traceability, and fourth—and most importantly—is trust," he stressed during the opening of the Nusatic, Nusapet, and Nusahorti 2026 exhibition in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday.

According to him, the global market currently demands a paradigm shift in trade, particularly regarding quality, safety, traceability, and trust, adding that biosecurity is a mandatory requirement for businesses looking to expand internationally.

Karding noted that the implementation of quarantine standards and improvements in the trade system have boosted international market confidence in several of Indonesia’s biological commodities, including ornamental fish.

He assessed that a stronger trading ecosystem resulting from these four upgraded systems has the potential to position Indonesia as a leader in the global ornamental fish trade.

To safeguard the quality of Indonesia's ornamental fish, Barantin is also pushing the implementation of Good Fish Quarantine Practices (CKIB).

"Currently, 128 ornamental fish quarantine facilities with CKIB certification have been recognized by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)," Karding revealed.

He stated that Barantin's transformation is being driven by a shift from manual inspections to a risk-based approach.

This transformation also includes transitioning from paper-based documentation to digital integration, as well as moving away from passive post-border controls to active, preventive pre-border enforcement.

Beyond its enforcement functions, the agency also serves as a trade facilitator by assisting companies, opening market access, and accelerating quarantine services.

According to Karding, accelerating these processes can reduce costs, while implementing biosecurity and traceability measures can boost market confidence, ultimately driving higher prices.

He affirmed that his agency continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Research and Innovation Agency, industry players, exporters, and the legislature to strengthen the quarantine system and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesia's export commodities.

Related news: Indonesia alerts quarantine offices over hantavirus threat

Related news: Indonesia tightens livestock monitoring before Eid al-Adha

Translator: Aria Ananda, Raka Adji

Editor: M Razi Rahman

Copyright © ANTARA 2026