Owing to its rich agricultural sector, Indonesia has become one of the countries that helps the world by contributing basic ingredients for processed foods to meet its needs. Recently, the new agricultural product that is leading the Indonesian exports is Palm Sugar. Palm sugar is a type of sugar made entirely from the sap of the palm family tree such as Coconut, Palm Sugar or Palmyra Palm(Siwalan) and is consumed as a natural sweetener which is quite safe for the body.
Currently, Indonesian Palm Sugar is exported to the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.
The Indonesian Industry Ministry encourages Palm Sugar Small and Medium Industries(IKM’s) exports based on the commodities growth potential especially in the hospitality sector and premium market. Palm Buy Bulk Sugar are being encouraged to improve national export performance. Indonesian Palm Sugar IKM are renowned for their production with 100% local raw materials.
On 27th.August’22, Reni Yanita , Director General of Small,Medium and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA) Stated, “Majority of Palm Sugar products are produced by IKM’s at several IKM centers in Central Java and West Java.’ ‘Indonesia is a major exporting country for Palm Sugar in the world. Based on the latest data , the export performance of products made from coconut sap or Palm Sugar reached 36.5 thousand tonnes with a value of $49.3 million in 2019. The export value increased to 39.4 thousand tonnes with a value of $63.5 million in 2020.”
Challenges Being Faced In The Palm Sugar Industry
As Reni Yanita stated, “Despite having penetrated the export market, the Palm Sugar Industry is still facing many challenges like raw material related challenges to the issue of mixing refined sugar, the use of technology, lack of application of Good Processed Food Production Methods(CPPOB) . Good market access like branding, use of digital markets and fulfillment of product standardization requirements demanded by the export market are also a few more challenges.”
The Ministry Will Implement Various Coaching Programmes In Response To These Challenges
The coaching programs encompass the implementation of a food safety system in the form of assistance and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification, a restructuring program for machinery and/or equipment through refunds for the purchase of new machines and/or production equipment as well as implementation of the transformation industry 4.0, especially in terms of efficiency and traceability.
The ministry has also allotted the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) for the development and revitalisation of IKM centers as well as increasing export markets in the form of digital market assistance through global market workshop platforms, facilitation of membership at global market workshops and participation in international exhibitions. Partnerships between IKM and relevant stakeholders are being encouraged in order to bring about expansion of the export market.
CONCLUSION
The Ministry of Industry is encouraging IKM’s to implement the use of industrial technology 4.0 to spur productivity and competitiveness. This is in line with the Making Indonesia 4.0 priority program, with its main goal being to bring the country amongst the 10 countries that have the strongest economy in the world by 2030.
