"Thirty-eight tons of coconut flour products were exported to Italy in the beginning of October, generating US$61,375 worth of foreign exchange for the country," Head of Foreign Trade division of the North Sumatra Industry and Trade Agency, T Hasudungan, said in Manado, North Sumatra, on Friday.
"Exporters should take advantage of this opportunity," Hasudungan added, hoping that in the future, export of flour to Italy will continue to increase.
"Export of coconut flour to Italy is an opportunity for North Sulawesi to boost the seeded products exports to even more countries in the world," he remarked.
Coconut flour is one of North Sulawesis most popular commodities among foreign consumers, compared to other products.
"The market for North Sulawesi coconut flour is spread well beyond the European region, and covers Asia, America, Australia and Africa as well," he informed.
Compared to other coconut derived products, including Crude Coconut Oil (CCO), coconut flour has indeed penetrated more markets in the world, but volume wise, CCO is still predominant, which is why it is known to be the biggest foreign exchange generator for North Sumatra.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
