The Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency notes that frozen frog legs have emerged as a potential export product from the South Sumatra Province. According to data from the South Sumatra Quarantine Agency on December 8, 2023, 17,076 kilograms of frozen frog legs were exported to France, totaling IDR 2.3 billion. Mardiyan, from the Pest and Fish Disease Control Team at the South Sumatra Quarantine Agency, explains that the exported commodity is sourced from natural searches and captures in various areas of South Sumatra, including Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Timur, and neighboring regions near Palembang. The exported frogs belong to the Fejervarya Cancrivora species, commonly known as ricefield frogs. The primary consumer countries for this commodity include Belgium, France, and the European Union, where the frogs are processed for consumption.
In 2022, the detailed shipment of frozen frog legs amounted to 446,412 kilograms with a total economic value of IDR 55.6 billion, involving 26 shipments throughout the year. Head of the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Sahat M Panggabean, acknowledges the substantial value of frozen frog leg exports but emphasizes the need for local governments to anticipate the potential depletion of frogs due to their natural capture. He suggests the importance of developing frog farming to sustain the resource and transform frogs into a flagship export product for South Sumatra. Sahat highlights that South Sumatra has untapped potential in other commodities suitable for export, such as coconuts and durians. He believes that the province's unique and varied durian flavors can attract consumers, presenting an opportunity for further economic development.
