Indonesian shrimp prices plummet by 20%, as the U.S. and Japan simultaneously tighten nuclear inspections, causing the export chain to come to a standstill.

According to the latest notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), starting from October 31, all containers of frozen white shrimp originating from Java Island and Lampung Port in Indonesia entering the United States must have a certificate of testing for radioactive elements. This regulation covers goods still in transit, catching Indonesian export companies off guard. In August, the U.S. found trace amounts of radioactive cesium-137 in products from Indonesian company BMS, subsequently placing it on a "red list" and requiring it to undergo third-party audits.

The Quality Monitoring and Assurance Agency (MFQAA) under Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries urgently consulted with the FDA, hoping to set October 31 as the "estimated time of departure (ETD)" rather than the "estimated time of arrival (ETA)" to avoid containers being rejected during transit. However, as of now, the U.S. has not given a formal response. Due to the two-week period required for testing certification and the monthly export volume of approximately 1,000 containers nationwide, the testing capacity is severely insufficient, forcing a large amount of goods to be stranded in ports.

Meanwhile, Japan followed suit. On October 10, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ordered enhanced radioactive testing for imported shrimp from Indonesia and required enterprises named by the FDA to submit radiation test certificates with their shipments. Japanese standards are stringent, set at 100 becquerels per kilogram, which is only 1/12 of the U.S. limit, meaning even shrimp products that pass U.S. testing may still be rejected by Japan. Data from the Yokohama Quarantine Station shows that this move will increase the cost of Indonesia's annual shrimp exports to Japan by 15% to 20%, amounting to 1.2 million tons.

Indonesian shrimp prices have fallen for three consecutive weeks, with pond prices in East Java's 42nd week dropping to $4.2 per kilogram, with some regions experiencing a drop of up to 14%. Processing plants have suspended purchases due to a sharp reduction in orders, and some farmers have been forced to sell large-sized shrimp early to minimize losses. Abdul Rahman, chairman of the Jakarta Shrimp Farmers Association, said: "Currently, at least 30,000 tons of live shrimp are unsold, and we can hardly export until a testing system is established."

As the world's third-largest shrimp exporter, Indonesia's 2024 export value is expected to exceed $6 billion, with the U.S. and Japanese markets accounting for nearly 40% of the total. This "double nuclear inspection" is seen by the industry as a "heavy blow" to Indonesia's export chain, threatening not only short-term trade but also potentially causing a global market restructuring. WTO aquaculture expert Li Ming pointed out: "When major importing countries form a quality alliance, exporting countries must establish a traceable and internationally recognized certification system, otherwise they will be marginalized."