Indonesia, as one of the largest maritime countries in the world, has great potential in developing the fishing industry. One of the main commodities that Indonesia relies on is pangasius fish. Pangasius fish is one of the leading commodities because it is well established in terms of seeds, rearing, feed, processing, as well as extensive cultivation production areas in aquaculture centers covering South Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. Opportunities for the pangasius fish industry for local consumption are wide open with the policy of banning imports of pangasius fish by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Apart from that, the high food safety requirements that will be set by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries through the Indonesian National Standards (SNI) provide an opportunity for local pangasius fish to dominate the market.
South Sumatra is recorded as the largest aquaculture producer of pangasius fish in Indonesia, contributing around 47.4% of the province's total national production. Pangasius fish production from South Sumatra can reach more than 250,000 tons per year. This also has a positive correlation with the dietary habits of the people of South Sumatra who really like pangasius fish as one of the famous dishes, namely pindang pangasius fish.
By seeing this significant development, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries together with aquaculture entrepreneurs will continue to strive to advance the national pangasius fish industry. One way is to continue to develop national pangasius fish industry centers such as Jambi, Palembang, Riau, Lampung, West Java, South Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan. For details of the national pangasius fish production area, Sumatra Island is the largest contributor, namely 68.07% of the total national pangasius fish production. Meanwhile, Java Island contributed 8.48% of the total national pangasius fish production, and Kalimantan Island contributed 20.23% of the total national pangasius fish production.
Kampung Patin, one of the pangasius fish cultivation centers in Riau Province
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries continues to be active in monitoring and encouraging national pangasius fish production by collaborating closely with 25 related Ministries and institutions, in accordance with the mandate given in Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 7 of 2016 concerning the Acceleration of Development of the National Fisheries Industry. This cross-sector collaboration strengthens efforts to increase Indonesian pangasius fish production holistically, covering aspects such as seed development, rearing, feed and processing. Apart from that, the government is also taking concrete steps by implementing the Indonesian National Standards (SNI) to limit imports of pangasius fish. Thus, the import protection efforts implemented by the government have provided a positive impetus for the development of the Indonesian pangasius fish industry.
The impact of implementing the pangasius import protection policy appears to have provided positive results for the Indonesian fishing industry. Encouraging developments can be seen from the increase in national pangasius fish production. These steps show the government's seriousness in supporting the growth and development of the national fishing industry, as well as protecting the local market from import competition.
There is a positive trend regarding pangasius fish import activities carried out by China, Thailand and Latin American countries. In China, imports of pangasius fish can reach 34,400 tons per year, indicating high demand from the Chinese consumer market for this commodity. Furthermore, Thailand is the second largest importing country for pangasius fish with imports reaching 19,200 tons per year, indicating that this country has strong interest in importing pangasius fish from Indonesia and other countries. In fact, imports of pangasius fish in Latin American countries also increased by 12.3%, showing the large market potential in the region for pangasius fish products.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is holding an open invitation for various related parties, from business actors and pangasius fish farmers to banks, companies and state-owned enterprises, to collaborate in increasing Indonesian pangasius fish production. This cross-sector collaboration is the key to creating new breakthroughs that can encourage sustainable growth of the pangasius fish industry. By involving various parties, the KKP hopes to create strong synergies and make optimal use of existing resources to develop the Indonesian pangasius fish industry.
Pangasius fish is a type of fish that is relatively easy for people to cultivate. Apart from that, this fish also has a fast growth rate, so that within 5-6 months, pangasius fish can be harvested in quite large sizes, between 800 grams to one kilogram per fish. This provides a great opportunity for the community, especially in pangasius producing areas, to develop this fish cultivation business as a potential source of income.
According to data from the KKP, the share of local pangasius fish exports is still dominated by Thailand, namely 44 percent, followed by Japan with 15 percent, and Myanmar with 14 percent. The development of the Indonesian pangasius fish industry has shown good progress after the implementation of the pangasius fish import protection policy carried out by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. In 2016, national pangasius fish production was 437,111 tons, a significant increase from the previous year which was only 339,069 tons. Meanwhile, in 2018, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries targets pangasius fish production to reach 604,587 tons.
Indonesia has great potential to become a major player in the pangasius fish market, both domestically and internationally. With abundant natural resource potential, government support, and commitment from stakeholders, the Indonesian pangasius fish industry has bright prospects. Joint efforts are needed from all related parties to continue to develop this industry, both in terms of better cultivation technology, improving product quality, and wider marketing both domestically and abroad.
The production of pangasius fish is one of the main fisheries commodities in Indonesia
Increasing Indonesian pangasius fish production will also have a positive economic impact, such as increasing income for cultivators and business actors, creating jobs, and contributing to the national economy. However, challenges remain, such as meeting high food safety standards, sustainable environmental management, and competition in international markets. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to innovate and improve quality to maintain the competitiveness of Indonesian pangasius fish in the global market.
The development of the Indonesian pangasius fish industry also has a significant social impact, especially in improving the welfare of local communities. Pangasius fish cultivation provides employment opportunities for thousands of cultivators and business people in the fisheries sector, especially in areas such as South Sumatra and Kalimantan. With the developing pangasius fish industry, local communities have the opportunity to earn a more stable and sustainable income. This not only increases the level of economic prosperity, but also has the potential to reduce poverty levels in these areas, as well as increase access to education, health and other basic infrastructure.
Apart from social impacts, the development of the pangasius fish industry also has significant environmental impacts. The growth of this industry requires wise management of natural resources, especially in terms of water management and the aquatic environment. Sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation practices are the key to maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. Apart from that, waste management from the pangasius fish processing industry must also be managed well so that it does not pollute the surrounding environment. By implementing responsible and environmentally friendly farming practices, the Indonesian pangasius fish industry can continue to develop sustainably while preserving the environment.
