MINISTER of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan released the export of green bean coffee produced by PT Ujang Jaya International as many as 10 containers worth USD1.48 million to the United States (US).
“I am grateful that this morning we together released the export of coffee products by PT Ujang Jaya Internasional as many as 10 containers to the US with a value of US$1.48 million. This is extraordinary. We are continuously trying to encourage exports because this is the momentum of a trade balance surplus for 49 consecutive months,” said Zulkifli during the release of coffee exports in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra on Monday, (1/7).
The man who is familiarly called Zulhas revealed that the Ministry of Trade continues to work hard to open market access for Indonesian products by accelerating the completion of trade agreements with partner countries. One of them is the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).
“We are working hard to finalize the CEPA agreement with the European Union. If the agreement is completed, hopefully pepper, coffee, especially CPO will not have any problems in the European Union. The agreement is just a little bit away from completion, hopefully before October,” he continued.
On the other hand, he also appreciated PT Ujang Jaya International which continues to encourage increased exports of Indonesian coffee products to the global market amidst the current economic conditions which are full of challenges.
“High appreciation to PT Ujang Jaya Internasional which is engaged in coffee exports, even taking care of farmers by establishing cooperatives. We pray and support, what is needed from the government will be facilitated because we will face competition with other countries. So, the key word to become a developed country must be cooperation. By working together, our exports can increase and banking helps develop credit to advance the economy so that traders and farmers develop,” he explained.
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For information, in the last five years (2019-2023), the trend of Indonesian coffee exports has shown an increase of 4.46 percent. On the other hand, the US ranks first as the destination country for coffee product exports from Indonesia with a value reaching USD215.96 million with an export share of 23.24 percent.
“The main competitor for coffee exports to the US from Latin America is Colombia. Colombia has its own brand managed by cooperatives and supported by its government. For that, the quality of Indonesian coffee must be improved, especially since awareness has been embedded in the community about consuming organic coffee. It must be truly maintained, including packaging and drying. Therefore, I fully support cooperatives and warehouse receipts because if you want to be successful, the key is cooperation,” he said.
For information, in January-April 2024, Indonesian coffee product exports reached USD283.3 million. This figure increased by 20 percent from the same period in the previous year, which was worth USD236.08 million. Meanwhile, in 2023, Indonesian coffee exports to the world were recorded at USD929.13 million. (Z-10)
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