"Indonesia has abundant seafood products, including red snapper," said Ranitya Kusumadewi, the Indonesian Trade Attaché to the United States, in her statement issued on Thursday.
She said that she had met with seafood product importer Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) in Columbia, Maryland, to discuss opportunities for expanding Indonesia's seafood exports.
During the meeting, she highlighted the growing trend in demand for seafood products within the US market. Consequently, importers such as CPF are increasing product diversification, especially for red snapper.
Kusumadewi noted that the company is also diversifying its range to include other products such as tuna, squid, and tilapia.
CPF's demand for red snapper in the US averages around 20 containers per month, showing a consistent upward trend. The initial estimated transaction value for this commodity is US$2.5 million annually.
She highlighted that Indonesia will work with related stakeholders to recruit potential suppliers to be introduced to CPF.
Indonesia has significant potential as a supplier of red snapper to the US market. This species is primarily found in tropical waters, like those off Brazil and Indonesia, though Brazilian supplies are seasonal.
Kusumadewi remarked that in addition to discussing the potential for export expansion, Indonesian suppliers could also explore opportunities to export other seafood products such as tuna, grouper, tilapia, and squid.
She agreed to introduce CPF to representatives of Indonesian businesses participating in the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) on March 16-18 in Boston, Massachusetts.
"We have coordinated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for assistance with SENA 2025 participation. This information can be used to connect with potential Indonesian suppliers," she remarked.
The US is the world's largest importer of fishery products, with imports valued at US$21 billion, accounting for 15 percent of total global imports in 2024.
The main fishery products imported by the US include shrimp, salmon, tuna, and whitefish.
Meanwhile, Indonesia ranks seventh among the countries supplying US imports, with a 5.5 percent share worth US$1.15 billion.
Leading exporters of fishery products to the US include Chile, with 16.2 percent of total value, followed by Canada (15 percent), India (9.5 percent), Ecuador (6.7 percent), and Norway (6.6 percent).
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Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Anton Santoso
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