Indonesia makes first marinated catfish export to Taiwan

Photo caption: Manager of Ardiles Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) feeds nearly harvest-ready catfish raised using a biofloc system in Ardimulyo Village, Singosari Sub-district, Malang District, East Java, Friday (April 17, 2026).

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has exported 10.5 tons of marinated catfish to Taiwan for the first time in a deal valued at roughly Rp400 million (US$25,000), the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries announced Monday.

The frozen shipment, produced by Bandung-based enterprise PT Asha Nuova International, departed West Java on Aug. 6.

Ishartini, acting head of the ministry's Quality Control and Supervision Agency, said the shipment met strict safety standards across the supply chain, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certifications required by Taiwanese authorities.

"This allows competent authorities at the destination to recognize product quality and approve market entry," Ishartini said, noting that marinated catfish and tilapia are gaining traction in foreign markets.

The initial shipment represents the first batch, with a second delivery scheduled for September expected to nearly double to 20 tons and include tilapia products.

Local officials in West Java are pushing to expand processed seafood exports by leveraging regional aquaculture hubs to supply certified processing units.

In 2025, West Java exported 1,800 tons of fishery products worth Rp42 billion (US$2.6 million) to key markets including the United States, Japan, China, and several Southeast Asian nations.