Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh dates in Indonesia function primarily as an import-dependent consumer market, with import volumes showing seasonal increases ahead of Ramadan. BPS reported that Indonesia imported more than 10 thousand tons of dates in December 2024 and more than 16 thousand tons in January 2025 (provisional), indicating a sharp month-to-month rise. Market access is shaped by horticultural import licensing and plant quarantine controls, including documentation checks and inspection at designated entry points. Cold-chain capability and importer compliance readiness are therefore central to reliable supply into the Indonesian market.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer)
Domestic RoleSeasonal consumer demand market supported by imports; domestic production not evidenced in retrieved sources
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityImport volumes can rise materially ahead of Ramadan; BPS highlighted higher date imports in January 2025 than December 2024.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Quality parameters commonly referenced in international standards for fresh dates include size, colour, shape, and uniformity (Codex standard for fresh dates adopted in 2025).
- Compliance screening at entry includes quarantine inspection to detect quarantine plant pests and assess physical condition; rotten or damaged consignments can be subject to destruction under plant quarantine procedures.
Packaging- Packaged as fresh horticultural product and handled to maintain condition; Indonesian import rules referenced by USDA FAS indicate Bahasa Indonesia labels must be attached to packaging prior to entering the Indonesian customs zone for regulated horticultural imports.
- Shipped in packaging suitable for inspection and cold-chain handling (e.g., carton/plastic packaging with refrigerated transport capability referenced in Indonesian plant quarantine technical requirements for fresh fruits).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin farm/packhouse → export documentation (incl. phytosanitary certificate) → refrigerated transport → Indonesian designated entry point → plant quarantine administrative check and inspection → importer cold storage → distribution to wholesalers/retail
Temperature- Cold-chain discipline is emphasized for fresh horticultural imports; Indonesian technical requirements for imported fresh fruits reference transport in a container equipped with a cooler.
- Import licensing references include importer cold storage capacity as a compliance criterion for horticultural imports.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFresh fruit shipments (including fresh dates) that fail Indonesia’s plant quarantine requirements—such as missing/invalid phytosanitary certification, missing required declarations/treatment statements, or routing outside designated entry places—can be detained, rejected (re-exported), or destroyed under Indonesia’s plant quarantine measures for fresh fruits and vegetables.Align phytosanitary certificate wording (including any required additional declarations/treatment statements) with Indonesia’s import requirements, route via eligible entry points, and run a pre-shipment document and condition check with the Indonesian importer and appointed surveyor/agent (if applicable).
Import Licensing MediumIndonesia’s horticultural import system can require the Indonesian importer to secure an RIPH (import recommendation) and SPI (import permit), with the RIPH scoped to a specific HS code, origin country, port of entry, and supplier; mismatches or late permitting can disrupt shipments.Lock the importer-of-record early, confirm the intended port-of-entry and supplier details match the permit scope, and time shipments to the importer’s approved RIPH/SPI validity window.
Logistics MediumCold-chain or handling failures (including temperature excursions during transport or extended dwell time during inspections) can degrade quality and increase rejection/destruction risk for fresh fruit shipments.Use validated refrigerated logistics (reefer or equivalent), set temperature-monitoring and excursion protocols, and plan buffer time for quarantine inspection at the designated entry point.
FAQ
Which documents are commonly required to import fresh dates into Indonesia?For fresh fruit shipments, Indonesia’s plant quarantine rules require a phytosanitary (plant health) certificate from the origin country (and transit country where applicable). For regulated horticultural imports, USDA FAS reports the Indonesian importer may also need an Import Recommendation of Horticulture Products (RIPH) and an Import Permit Letter (SPI) before the goods can be imported.
Are there specific ports or airports that fresh dates can enter through in Indonesia?Yes. Indonesia’s plant quarantine measures for fresh fruits use designated entry places, and the IPPC reporting obligation summary for the Ministry of Agriculture regulation notes that importation is only allowed through specified entry points such as Port of Belawan, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Surabaya, and Makassar. The detailed regulation text (Permentan 42/2012) lists entry places including Surabaya (Tanjung Perak), Medan (Belawan), Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport), and Makassar, with limited additional provisions for free trade zones.
Does Indonesia experience seasonal spikes in date imports?Yes. A BPS provincial news post notes that Indonesia imported more than 10 thousand tons of dates in December 2024 and more than 16 thousand tons in January 2025 (provisional), describing this rise in the context of imports ahead of Ramadan.