Antara News·Indonesia·Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 10:19 AM UTC

Asahan ships first 40 tons of shrimp paste to Thailand

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M.Said, Rahmad Nasution

Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan launched the first export of 40 metric tons of shrimp paste from Asahan, North Sumatra, to Thailand, on October 24, opening new overseas markets for local small businesses.

"Today we are launching the first export of Asahan-made tiny-shrimp paste to Thailand, a 40-ton shipment worth about Rp230 million (US$12,700)," Zulkifli said alongside North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya.

According to a press statement that ANTARA received here Tuesday, the export could help locally processed products reach wider markets and increase the economic value of fisheries output.

Asahan has about 56 kilometers of coastline along the Strait of Malacca and is one of North Sumatra's largest producers of wild-caught fish.

Capture fisheries production in Asahan reached 50,658 tons through September 2023, supporting seafood-processing businesses that use catches from local fishers, Zulkifli said.

Tiny-shrimp paste is among the processed seafood products being developed to expand markets for fisheries products from coastal communities, he said.

Asahan government data show shrimp-paste exports totaled 1,897.7 tons in 2022, valued at about Rp21 billion (US$1.16 million).

Through September 2023, export volume had risen to 2,758.5 tons, worth about Rp34 billion (US$1.87 million), highlighting the growth potential of Asahan's processed seafood in international markets.

The government hopes the first shipment to Thailand will become a regular export and broaden markets for Asahan's processed seafood, Zulkifli said.

He said support from local authorities and other stakeholders was crucial to helping small businesses grow. "We ask Bank Indonesia and the regent to support our small businesses so they can expand," he said.

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