Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo oversaw on Thursday the export of 100 tons of cabbage from Malang, East Java, to Taiwan amid the ongoing decline in global trade.
The export comprises four containers, each weighing 25 tons, of cabbage priced at Rp 40,000 (US$2.72) per kilogram.
“This is what we call accelerating the agriculture [sector], in which our national [produce] improves food security and is worthy of export and globally in demand,” Syahrul said in a statement on Thursday.
The containers of cabbage were the latest in the 230 containers of vegetables Indonesia has exported this year, according to Syahrul.
The ministry plans to export 300 containers by the end of the year as demand continues to rise. Indonesia is working to boost its international trade as the pandemic has led to a 9.9 percent decline in exports year-on-year (yoy) to $13.73 billion in July.
Owing to the disruptions to trade caused by pandemic-related restrictions, the World Trade Organization (WTO) predicts global trade to decline by between 13 and 32 percent this year.
“The President wants to see real economic acceleration that can improve people’s income. That is what we need to pursue,” said Syahrul.
The minister noted that Indonesia exported Rp 6 trillion in fruits and vegetables last year, saying the industry had plenty of potential.
Indonesia’s agriculture exports rose to $350 million in July, 11.17 percent higher than the figure recorded in the same period last year.