Chinese enterprises assist in upgrading Indonesia's coconut industry

The coconut downstream industrialization project supported by China will create significant added value for the Indonesian economy, "said Cao Shiyun, a special correspondent for the Global Times in Indonesia. Indonesian Minister of Investment and Downstream Development, Roshan Perkasa Ruslani, publicly stated at an event on the 26th that the project will employ 5000 people in the first year and increase employment opportunities to 10000 the following year, with a wide variety of derivative products.

The Indonesian news website Tempo. co reported on the 26th that a Chinese company had previously announced plans to invest $100 million to build coconut processing plants in multiple cities in Indonesia. Ruslani stated that this investment aims to retain added value within Indonesia while creating local job opportunities. "Investing $100 million can create up to 10000 job opportunities, which is of great significance. Ruslani also emphasized that the project plans to consume 500 million coconuts annually, and the value potential of coconuts processed through an integrated downstream industrial chain is enormous, "allowing farmers to obtain higher selling prices without having to bear transportation costs".

Indonesia is a major coconut growing and producing country in the world. According to a Global Times reporter stationed in Indonesia, coconut is almost the most common agricultural product in daily life in Indonesia, and drinks and snacks made from coconut can be seen everywhere on the streets. Currently, Indonesian coconuts are mainly exported in the form of fresh fruits. The government plans to produce more high-value coconut products at the end of the production chain, such as coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut powder, and promote the revival of plantations, support farmers, and stabilize prices.  

In recent years, coconut drinks such as coconut water and raw coconut latte have been popular among Chinese consumers. Since China opened quarantine access to Indonesian fresh coconut in November last year, Indonesian fresh coconut has won the favor of the Chinese market. According to data from Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics, from January to May this year, Indonesia exported 204400 tons of fresh coconut to China, a year-on-year increase of 47%.