Natuna fish exports hit Rp2.9 billion with zero rejections

Natuna, Kepri (ANTARA) - The Riau Islands Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Center (BKHIT Kepri) said that fishery products from Natuna District of Riau Islands Province remain highly competitive in the export market.

Head of the Riau Islands Quarantine Office Hasim said in Natuna on Saturday that no fish exports from the district have ever been rejected by destination countries.

According to data from Best Trust (Barantin Electronic System for Transaction and Utility Service Technology), the live fish exports from Natuna reached 28,818 fish during the first half of 2026, with shipments departing from Sedanau of Natuna for Hong Kong.

The exported fish had a total economic value of Rp2.9 billion. During the same period, 2.3 tons of frozen fish were also shipped to Malaysia through the Serasan Cross-Border Post.

"So far, fish exports from Natuna have not encountered any obstacles or been rejected by destination countries through a Notification of Non-Compliance (NNC)," he said.

According to Hasim, the achievement is the result of stringent supervision and inspections carried out by various stakeholders, particularly the Riau Islands Quarantine Center. He explained that before shipment, fish undergo a series of rigorous inspections conducted by the quarantine office, including physical examinations and document verification.

All fish transported outside the region must be accompanied by a Health Certificate for Fish and Fish Products (KI-1) issued by the quarantine office, certifying that the fish are healthy and free from disease.

"We are fully committed to carrying out our duties with integrity. The responsibility reflects the state's presence in ensuring smooth export activities, especially for fishery commodities that serve as a major source of income for fishermen in Natuna," he said.

The agency also reported that on Thursday (July 2), a total of 10,363 live fish of various species were shipped by sea from Sedanau to Hong Kong, and were recorded as part of the second-half 2026 export data in the Best Trust system.

The shipment comprised 2,239 coral trout grouper, 1,421 parrotfish, 1,268 camouflage grouper, 1,222 cantang grouper, 1,050 tiger grouper, 1,010 mangrove grouper, 980 potato grouper, 965 sand grouper, and 208 ringau grouper.

"The economic value of this shipment of Natuna's leading fishery commodities reached Rp1.1 billion," he said.

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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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