Indonesia has recommenced its shrimp exports to the United States with a hefty haul of 182 tonnes, valued at IDR25 billion, or approximately US$1.5 million. Importantly, these shipments come bearing certification of being free from Cesium-137 contamination.
Wahyu Sakti Trenggono, Indonesia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, shared this encouraging news during an event at the Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. He revealed that this marked the second such shipment since the Indonesian government confirmed that their shrimp products adhere to international radiation safety standards. This development seems to suggest that the confidence of the U.S. market in Indonesian shrimp is gradually being restored.
Trenggono also explained that the assurance of the absence of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, was made possible through a collaborative effort between the fisheries ministry, the National Research and Innovation Agency, and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency. This cross-institutional cooperation played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and international standard-compliant status of the shrimp exports.
The head of the MMAF Quality Assurance Agency, Ishartini, provided further insights into the certification process. She disclosed that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had duly recognized their agency as a certifying body as of October 31 this year. As a result, only fishery products that successfully pass the Certificate of Quality and Safety of Fisheries Products (SMKHP) and radiation tests will be approved for export with this certified status.
Following the approval, Indonesia had previously exported 121 containers of shrimp in October, after the fisheries ministry executed radiation scanning of a total of 920 containers destined for the U.S.
What is the significance of the recent shrimp shipment from Indonesia to the U.S.?
The shipment indicates a recovery of U.S. market trust in Indonesian shrimp products after they were certified free from Cesium-137 contamination.
Who issued the certification of freedom from Cesium-137 for the shrimp exports?
The certification was issued through a collaboration between Indonesia’s fisheries ministry, the National Research and Innovation Agency, and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency.
What criteria must Indonesian fishery products meet to be approved for export to the U.S.?
Fishery products must pass the Certificate of Quality and Safety of Fisheries Products (SMKHP) and radiation tests to be considered for export to the U.S.
