Russia to End the Embargo Imports of Fishery Products from Indonesia

The Russian government has finally lifted the ban on imports of fishery products from Indonesia. This policy is delivered through the Government of the Russian by a letter received by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Indonesia on September 17, 2014. Concerned to this policy, the Indonesian government hopes that fishery product exports to Russia can be recovered and can further increase. The initial phase, the export may be made by 15 companies that meet the requirements of the Custom Union of Russia and 2 others neighbors.

image source: bmlfuw.gv.at

This is a good opportunity for Indonesian exporters in field of fisheries product industry. Moreover, Indonesia has recently experienced a ban on imports of seafood to the United States, EU, Canada, Norway and Australia since early August 2014. If the current ban on fisheries products exports to Russia has been revoked, then the Indonesian exporters can begin to continue to expand its business.

To note, the ban on fisheries imports to Russia has been done since the beginning of July of 2013 ago. This ban is according to findings and recommendations issued by the Russian inspection team beginning in 2013. The Indonesian government then tried to do export recovery efforts such as diplomacy. Indonesian diplomacy did bilaterally as well as through the APEC meeting in Bali in late 2013. After a long effort of this, the Indonesian government finally managed to reopen the chance of fish exports to Russia. Russia has also provided an opportunity for at least 5 companies from Indonesia to follow Moscow Seafood Expo in the period 15 - 18 September 2014 and then in Moscow.

The next steps, Indonesia seek to maximize the value of exports. Indonesia targets in the last quarter of 2014, the value of fish exports to Russia could reach $ 30-40 million. The export target mainly on tuna, shrimp, fish oil, and fish eggs. In these efforts, the Indonesian government also urged the exporters to adhere to quality standards and export rules set. Indonesia should be an exporter of high quality fish products with quality assurance system and appropriate food safety.