Head of the ministry’s Marine and Fishery Products Quality Control and Monitoring Agency, Ishartini, said on Friday that the certificate serves as official proof that exported products meet the quality requirements set by destination countries.
She emphasized that the SMKHP demonstrates compliance with international sanitation, hygiene, and food safety standards throughout the production process.
"Thus meeting an appropriate level of food protection in that country, enabling easy penetration of their market," she said.
As an example, Ishartini cited a recent case in which 20 containers of frozen shrimp from Surabaya were temporarily held at a port in the United States.
After the exporter presented the required quality certificate issued by the Surabaya I Quality Control Unit and confirmed by the ministry, the containers were cleared and allowed to enter the market.
She added that the SMKHP can now be obtained more easily, as the government provides online processing through the Siap Mutu application, which is integrated with the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW).
The ministry’s 46 quality control units across Indonesia are ready to assist exporters in obtaining the certificate, ensuring fast and efficient issuance, she pointed out.
"This is proof of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's commitment to supporting Indonesia's fisheries products in the global market," she said.
A representative from the exporter company, Clorinda, confirmed the experience, saying the company's 20 containers of frozen food were halted at the US's Chicago port.
"The US Food and Drug Administration sent an email notifying us, through a customs broker, saying that there was incomplete documentation," they recalled.
After the quality certification document was shown, all the containers were allowed further transport.
The Surabaya I Quality Control Unit noted that the export shipment, totaling 263 thousand tonnes with a value of Rp63.4 billion (around US$3.8 million), was ultimately able to be distributed overseas owing to the certificate.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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