Asahan sends first shrimp paste shipment to Thailand
The 40-metric-ton shipment was valued at about Rp230 million, with officials hoping to establish regular exports to the Thai market.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan launched Asahan’s first shrimp paste shipment to Thailand on October 24. He said the consignment from the North Sumatra district contained 40 metric tons and was worth about Rp230 million.
Zulkifli, who was accompanied by North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, said the government hoped shipments to Thailand would continue regularly and open more markets for seafood processed in Asahan. He also called on Bank Indonesia and the regent to help small businesses expand.
Government figures for Asahan put shrimp paste exports at 1,897.7 tons in 2022, with a value of about Rp21 billion. In the period through September 2023, exports reached 2,758.5 tons, valued at about Rp34 billion.
Asahan’s coastline extends about 56 kilometres along the Strait of Malacca. The district is among North Sumatra’s largest sources of wild-caught fish, with capture fisheries output reaching 50,658 tons through September 2023, Zulkifli said.
He said catches supplied by local fishers support seafood processors, with tiny-shrimp paste among the products being developed to reach additional markets for coastal communities.
