Indonesia's Shrimp Exports Show Resilience Amid Radioactivity Concerns

Strong Export Performance

Indonesia's shrimp exports have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite recent concerns about radioactivity contamination. The export value reached US$ 1.40 billion during the first nine months of 2025, representing a significant 17.5% year-on-year increase ¹

Major Market Performance

The United States continues to be the primary destination for Indonesian shrimp, accounting for 63.1% of total exports. Exports to the US during January-September 2025 showed a 16.3% year-on-year increase. The European market also demonstrated strong growth with a 57.5% increase in exports, while China recorded an 18.9% rise during the same period ¹

Addressing Quality Concerns

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has taken decisive measures to address quality concerns following the US FDA's detection of radioactive cesium-137 in Indonesian shrimp products. On October 31, 2025, the KKP released seven containers of radiation-free shrimp worth US$ 1.2 million (approximately Rp 20 billion) to the United States. These shipments were certified by a KKP-approved certified entity (CE), meeting the US FDA's requirements ²

Market Recovery and Price Normalization

The initial shock from the radioactivity detection led to temporary price drops and reduced demand. However, swift government action and compliance with new US requirements have helped restore market confidence. Fernando Jongguran Simanjuntak, Director of Brackish Water Fish at the Directorate General of Aquaculture, noted that shrimp prices at the farm level have returned to normal, boosting farmer morale and production enthusiasm ⁴

Future Quality Assurance Measures

To prevent future quality issues, the KKP is establishing specialized laboratories equipped with radioactive testing equipment. Ishartini, Head of Quality Control at KKP, announced that the new laboratory facilities, located in Cilangkap, will be operational by the end of 2025, enhancing Indonesia's capability to detect and prevent radioactive contamination in seafood products ³