Indonesia ships first frozen tuna loin export from Maluku to Thailand

This is a concrete step by the government and regional authorities to support economic growth..

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia shipped its first frozen tuna loin export from Maluku to Thailand, sending 11 metric tons worth more than Rp1 billion to expand seafood exports.

The inaugural shipment departed from Yos Sudarso Port in Ambon, Maluku, on Thursday after receiving the Fishery Product Quality and Safety Certificate (SMKHP), issued by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

Acting Head of the Fishery Product Quality Control and Supervision Agency Ishartini said the shipment reflected cooperation between the central and regional governments to strengthen economic growth through broader export markets.

"This is a concrete step by the government and regional authorities to support economic growth through the expansion of export destinations," Ishartini said.

She explained that the frozen tuna loin met international food quality and safety standards after obtaining the SMKHP, a mandatory certification required for fishery exports.

According to Ishartini, the certification is recognized under the Codex Alimentarius, the international benchmark for food quality and safety standards, ensuring that Indonesian fishery products comply with the import requirements of destination countries.

"The quality and safety of fishery products are among the key factors determining their acceptance in export markets," she said.

Ishartini said strengthening the national quality assurance system is part of the government's strategy to improve the competitiveness of Indonesian seafood while expanding access to overseas markets.

Head of the Maluku Provincial Industry and Trade Office Ahmad Jais Ely described the inaugural shipment as a significant milestone for boosting seafood exports from the eastern Indonesian province.

"Before departure, the Fishery Product Quality and Safety Certificate was issued as a mandatory document for entry into the Thai market," Ely said.

The ministry emphasized that strengthening quality assurance throughout the supply chain—from upstream production to downstream processing—remains essential to improving the competitiveness of various Indonesian seafood, encouraging product diversification, and expanding export destinations.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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