REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia finally exports mangosteen to Australia after six years of negotiation. Australia banned Indonesian mangosteen after the commodity did not meet pesticide requirements.
"The matter was also discussed in bilateral meeting between Indonesian Minister of Trade Gita Wirjawan and his Australian counterpart Craig Emerson in Canberra in October 12," Director General of International Trade Cooperation at the Ministry of Trade, Imam Pambagyo, said on Thursday.
The export of mangosteen was started in November 27, 2012. It is considered as achievement of Indonesian trade diplomacy because Australia has strict quarantine standards.
"It proves that Indonesian food products have met international standard," he said. This achievement is expected to be a stepping stone for Indonesia to promote the export of tropical fruits.
In 2011, national mangosteen production was 117,600 tonnes with the export reached 12,600 tonnes worth 9.9 million USD. The main markets of the export are Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Middle East.
Indonesia also seeks export opportunity to New Zealand. Biosecurity team of New Zealand is scheduled visit Indonesia to make sure that mangosteen meets their requirements.