May 20, 2026
 

Indonesia targets Nile tilapia as priority export commodity with new production infrastructure

Certification compliance and zero rejection rates have opened doors in the US and European markets, with one producer already supplying a UK pub chain.

Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has identified Nile tilapia as a priority export commodity and is expanding production capacity through two dedicated infrastructure programmes to meet rising demand from the United States and Europe.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the ministry is developing the Saline Tilapia Cultivation Area (BINS) in Karawang and revitalising ponds along the North Coast of Java. "These two programmes aim to increase national tilapia production capacity while ensuring that all cultivation processes meet applicable international standards," Trenggono said.

Erwin Dwiyana, a senior KKP official, said Indonesia's tilapia exports currently record zero rejections in destination markets, supported by a stack of international certifications including GMP-SSOP, HACCP, ISO 22000, SQF, BAP, ASC and BRC.

One of Indonesia's leading tilapia producers, Regal Springs Indonesia, has already entered the UK market, supplying the Greene King pub chain. Director Tri Dharma Saputra said ASC certification has been central to that market access, requiring traceability and documented management across water quality, feed practices and fish health and welfare. "With the ASC, fish farming is required to transform. Everything is measured, recorded, and evaluated," Saputra said.

He added that Indonesian tilapia's price competitiveness positions it favourably against established whitefish such as cod and trout in European retail and foodservice channels.

— ANTARA