Beijing, China (ANTARA News) - Indonesian fishery products recorded transactions worth US$3.7 million at the third China International Aquatic Products Exposition (CIAPE) in Zhanjiang, China, on June 18-20, 2016.

Trade Attache at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing Dandy S. Iswara stated here on Wednesday that 10 Indonesian companies had participated in the event.

PT Medan Tropical Canning and Frozen Industries, PT Inti Luhur Fuja Abadi (Ilufaseafood), PT Madsumaya Indo Seafood, PT Nusantara Alam Bahari, CV Bintang Mandiri Waskito, PT Samudra Kencana Mina, PT Bumi Menara Internusa, PT Indoboga Jaya Makmur (Seafer), PT Cahaya Bahari Belitung, and PT SK Foods Indonesia took part in CIAPE.

"Indonesian fishery products --- Vannamei shrimp (whiteleg shrimp), frozen squid, skipjack, and tuna --- were in demand among the Chinese importers and distributors," he noted.

Dandy remarked that Indonesian fishery products were also in demand at the 11th exhibition of China (Fuzhou) International Fisheries Expo held in Fuzhou on June 3-5, 2016.

Trade and retail contracts worth $632 thousand were reached during the event.

"Potential buyers from several distributor companies; hotels, restaurants, and cafes (Hospitality); as well as processing companies entered the contracts," Dandy said.

The Indonesian fishing companies participating in Fuzhou were frozen shrimp products and processed fish food producer PT. Central Proteinaprima Tbk., tuna and frozen fish processing company PT. Charly Wijaya Tuna, and the Indonesian Seaweed Association engaged in promoting the exports of dried seaweed, sea cucumber, and carrageenan.

Dandy explained that Fuzhou and Zhanjiang were famous fishery centers. Fuzhou is a fishing port city, while Zhanjiang is known as the center of Chinese shrimp production.

"Hence, Indonesias participation in the fisheries exhibitions is important to tap into the growing market for fishery products in China," he remarked.

Dandy pointed out that the Chinese fishery market had shown steady growth in recent years.

Data from the Chinese Customs Office revealed that China had imported fishery products worth US$2.11 billion in April 2016, or a 2.22 percent increase as compared to $2.07 billion recorded in the same period in 2015.

Indonesia is ranked fifth, with fishery exports to China amounting to $112.31 million, or an increase by 46.54 percent compared to $76.64 million noted in the same period in 2015, with a market share of 5.32 percent.

The exports of Indonesias fishery products, especially shrimps, squids, lobsters, and frozen fish, have increased significantly. Of these products, squid was the most exported fishery product to China, with value reaching $37.66 million, or an increase of 132.31 percent compared to that in the previous year. With this figure, Indonesia has emerged as the largest exporter, with a market share of 47.67 percent.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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