Tiger prawn transforms coastal economies, reaches international tables

Samarinda, East Kalimantan (ANTARA) -

East Kalimantan is widely recognized not only for its vast forest areas and its role as a major producer of coal, oil, and natural gas, but also for its abundant marine and coastal resources, which play a vital role in supporting the regional economy.

Among the various aquatic produce, tiger prawns have emerged as a promising commodity, capable of penetrating the international market and generating foreign exchange.

Export data for the January–May 2026 period underscores the importance of this commodity, highlighting that well-managed natural resources can enhance public welfare while maintaining environmental sustainability.

According to Irma Listiawati, Head of the Aquaculture and Strengthening of Fishery Product Competitiveness Division of the East Kalimantan Marine Affairs and Fisheries Service (DKP Kaltim), tiger prawn exports reached 769.9 tons with an economic value exceeding Rp173.3 billion (US$9.4 million) in the first month of 2026.

This figure places tiger prawns as the dominant commodity, contributing more than half of the province's total fishery export value.

Recognized globally for their superior quality, tiger prawns have become one of the region’s flagship commodities. Their firm meat, distinctive natural sweetness, and stringent hygiene standards continue to drive strong demand from international buyers.

Four other commodities have also strengthened East Kalimantan's position in the global market, consisting of pink prawns, with 239.2 tons of shipments valued at Rp31.6 billion (US$1.7 million), followed by 89.3 tons of fresh grouper worth Rp7.4 billion (US$403 thousand), fresh silver pomfret with 59.7 tons at a value of Rp6.7 billion (US$365 thousand), and 27.7 tons of white shrimp valued at Rp4.7 billion (US$256 thousand).

East Kalimantan's fishery products are now distributed to 12 main destination countries, with Japan, the United States, China, and Malaysia remaining the most established export markets.

Efforts to preserve product freshness and meet international quality standards are carried out by the local government through collaboration with business players in the form of fast distribution channels. One such innovation is a direct cargo flight service from Balikpapan to Wenzhou, China, operated twice weekly by Rimbun aircraft.

Listiawati said that fast delivery is crucial for maintaining the quality of fresh products such as prawn, fish, and crab, ensuring their high sales value when they reach consumers.

Coastal Wealth

This export success is inseparable from the natural resources of East Kalimantan's vast and fertile coastal areas. The tiger prawns shipped abroad originate from production centers spread across four districts, each with its own characteristics and advantages.

Kutai Kartanegara District holds the largest supply, with primary production locations in Muara Jawa, Samboja, and Anggana Sub-districts. Here, prawns are produced in integrated and traditional ponds managed for generations.

Average production reaches 45–55 tons per month, with a total accumulated by mid-June 2026 of 290 tons. The calm waters and fertile soil make this region ideal for shrimp cultivation.

Berau District ranks second, with main production centers in Tanjung Batu, Suaran, Pegat Batumbuk, and other areas around Derawan Island.

Unlike other regions, most of the prawn here is produced through sustainable cultivation systems and natural catches that maintain quality. Average production ranges from 28–35 tons per month, or a total of 190 tons for almost the first six months of 2026.

Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) District is considered as the fastest-growing region. Taking place in Waru, Sepaku, and Babulu Sub-districts, the prawn farming sector in PPU is growing in line with the development of the Indonesian Capital City (IKN).

In addition to meeting local demand, production reaches 18–24 tons per month, or 125 tons from January to mid-June, further strengthening export supplies.

East Kutai District also contributes to the production with an average production of 8–12 tons per month, or 60 tons, as of mid-June.

Balikpapan City then serves as a processing and sorting center in the Kariangau region, before the commodities are sent to the port or airport for export.

East Kalimantan's average tiger prawns exports range from 125–150 tons per month, with a cumulative total reaching 830 tons by mid-June 2026. This figure fluctuates depending on the cycles of the rainy and dry seasons, and the harvest period, but remains stable and increasing.

Environmentally friendly cultivation

The competitiveness of East Kalimantan’s tiger prawns in the international market is supported by environmentally friendly and sustainable cultivation practices.

Amid global concerns on the impact of aquaculture on coastal ecosystem damage, East Kalimantan has implemented a new model, one known as Shrimp Carbon Aquaculture (Secure), a result of mentoring by the Berau District Fisheries Office and the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara/YKAN)

The principle of this system eliminates land expansion to boost harvest yields.

In this model, only about 20 percent of the land area is used for cultivation, while the remaining 80 percent is returned and protected as mangrove forest. This approach has been widely implemented in the Berau region and is being introduced to other areas such as PPU and Kutai Kartanegara.

Through mentoring, farmers are trained to manage pond systems in a way that supports productivity and ecological harmony.

They are trained to produce compost and local microorganisms (MOL) from organic materials around the ponds to maintain water fertility and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Furthermore, nursery techniques are also introduced to strengthen the shrimp fry and increase their survival rate.

Abdul Rahman, a shrimp farmer in Pegat Batumbuk Village, Berau, said they once believed higher yields depended on maximizing pond expansion.

"In reality, leaving space for mangroves makes the water cleaner, the shrimp healthier, and disease less common," he explained.

Evidence indicates that even with a reduced cultivation area, harvest quality and output have increased. In Abdul Rahman’s pond, tiger prawn production has grown by approximately 15 percent over the traditional approach, with extra products like milkfish and mud crabs also emerging naturally in the mangrove environment.

Boosting local economy

The success of tiger prawn exports is not solely measured by foreign exchange earnings, but also by its direct benefits to thousands of families in coastal communities.

This sector employs a workforce ranging from farmers, transporters, processors, to administrative and marketing staff. Every batch shipped abroad represents benefits spreading from upstream to downstream.

The Head of the Berau Fisheries Service, Abdul Majid, stated that sustainable aquaculture is crucial to prevent the slowdown of the community economy.

"If nature is damaged, this source of livelihood will be gone forever. The Secure Model shows that marine products can be harvested without harming the habitat," he said.

With the support of the local government, conservation organizations, and the enthusiasm of farmers, East Kalimantan's tiger prawn is known not only as an export commodity but also as a symbol of equitable and sustainable development.

Each prawn shipped abroad carries a story on the balance between advancing the economy and preserving natural heritage.

In the midst of global market competition, East Kalimantan has paved its own path by improving community welfare through marine products while preserving coastal ecosystems for future generations.

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Translator: M. Ghofar, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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