Indonesia's seafood exports see positive growth amidst COVID-19

Illustrative image (Photo: Antara)

Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Fisheries (KKP) has said increased exports in the marine and fisheries sector due to a surge in global demand could improve the country’s economic performance amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artati Widiarti, director of competitiveness for fisheries and marine products, said the marine and fisheries sector recorded good results during the first five months of 2021. The trade balance of this sector also recorded a surplus of 1.9 billion USD, up 3.72 percent from the same period last year.

Cumulatively, exports of marine products reached 2.1 billion USD between January and May, an increase of 4.94 percent year on year.

Items seeing high exports included shrimp, which raked in 865.9 million USD and accounted for 41 percent of the total export value; tuna-bonito-saba tuna, 269.5 million USD and 12.7 percent, and octopus, 223.6 million USD and 10.6 percent.

The US remained Indonesia’s main export market, with turnover of 934.1 million USD, or 44.2 percent of the total exports, followed by China with 311.2 million USD, or 14.7 percent, and other ASEAN countries with 230.7 million USD or 10.9 percent./.