Minister of Trade has dispatched a total of 18 tons of betel nut for export to Bangladesh. Alongside two leading commodities from Jambi, copra, and rubber, the export value amounts to IDR 2.089 billion. Jambi, with its flagship commodities, plays a significant role in the export of Indonesian betel nuts. According to him, the province of Jambi also contributes substantially to the export value of several commodities such as cinnamon, cloves, coffee, and others. This export has recorded consecutive surpluses for 40 months, with a value of nearly IDR 900 trillion in 2022. Jambi Province serves as a major hub for betel nut production, contributing to nearly 40 percent of the national production. The quality of this betel nut is considered high compared to other countries.
Nevertheless, Indonesia faces challenges in exporting betel nuts to India. This is due to India's robust protection measures for betel nut farmers in their country, potentially hindering the Indonesian betel nut market. India has also implemented Minimum Import Price (MPI) and high import tariffs. Additionally, betel nut commodities from Indonesia have yet to receive certification recognition in the export destination country. The government, through the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag), continues to engage in bilateral diplomacy efforts with betel nut export destination countries to eliminate the barriers faced by Indonesia. Therefore, collaboration is key. A strong synergy among all stakeholders, from the central government to local authorities and business entities, is essential to enhance export performance and contribute to the national economy.
