Fresh potential of Nusantara fruit in Indonesia

The article highlights the gap between domestic fruit production and consumption in Indonesia, despite the government's efforts to boost production and encourage export of exotic fruits like salak and mangosteen. Despite a consistent increase in fruit production, which reached 26.5 million tons in 2021 with a 6-7% annual growth, the country falls short of meeting its domestic demand. The current production only covers 0.19% of the market, with the majority of fruits being consumed domestically. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected export volumes, although there has been a slight increase in value due to currency fluctuations. The government is implementing measures to enhance fruit production efficiency, competitiveness, and logistical support through the development of fruit villages and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in these areas. These initiatives aim to provide market certainty for farmers and increase the added value of production by processing and exporting higher quality fruits.