At the opening of GBN 2021 here on Monday, the minister said that the event would help make the demand for the nation's fruit thrive not only domestically, but also internationally.
He also expressed the hope that the event would serve as a marketing platform and raise the public's awareness on eating local fruits.
Farming is the second largest sector after the processing industry in Indonesia and has shown consistent growth of 0.38 percent in 2020 as well as in the second quarter of 2021, Hartarto said.
The demand for fruits has also increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic, both domestically and internationally, due to their immunity-boosting benefit, he noted.
"This shows the sector's resiliency, how its presence is needed in every condition, and how it continues to provide a positive contribution to the economy's growth," the minister remarked.
Horticulture is a sub-sector that has the potential to grow, he noted. The government has continued to push horticultural exports, while also resolving regulations that stalled it.
Indonesia's horticultural exports touched 645.8 thousand tons in 2020, a 37.75-percent increase compared to 2019, Hartarto disclosed.
The increase was dominated by fruit exports, which reached 389.9 thousand tons, a 30.31-percent increase compared to 2019, he added.
Indonesia's five primary fruit export destinations are China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, he noted.
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Translator: Kuntum Riswan, Fadhli R
Editor: Sri Haryati
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