Indonesia's shrimping industry is experiencing a dizzying double whammy. As competition intensifies due to the trade war, the US authorities have also issued a warning following the discovery of the radioactive element Cesium (Cs-137) in an export batch of Indonesian shrimp.

Overcoming this prolonged problem, industry players expect the government to express firmness to the US authorities to save the industry that is on the edge.

As has been widely reported, Indonesia's shrimp exports recently faced problems after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that one of the export batches from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS) was contaminated with radioactive exposure. But the problem has not yet found a bright spot.

The reason is that after calling for frozen shrimp from Indonesia not to be consumed by or sold to the American public, the FDA demanded an explanation of the root of the problem and stated that this issue had escalated to a government to government (G2G) issue.

In an open statement to former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti received by SUAR on Wednesday (10/9), the Shrimp Club Indonesia association stated that shrimp industry players are facing a quandary. After almost a month of dialog with government officials, SCI did not get a way out of this problem, while the situation on the ground worsened.

Shrimp prices in a number of regions have plummeted by more than 30%, especially in Aceh and North Sumatra. This is because PT BMS is the largest exporter, accounting for 80% of Sumatra's shrimp purchases. Due to plant closures that occurred after the FDA findings, shrimp farmers were forced to harvest early and sell at low prices. As a result, there was an oversupply that impacted the domestic shrimp market.

Can't do much

A source from the industry who declined to be named said that the Cs-137 finding is different from the finding of antibiotic additives in a batch of Indonesian shrimp exports to Europe some time ago. In this case, industry players were completely unable to prevent exposure from occurring.

"Under these circumstances, the farmers are not at fault, the factory is not at fault, the additive seller is not at fault, the processor is not at fault. Because, all of these links are victims of external elemental contamination, which according to Bapeten comes from contamination of metal processing plants in the final industrial area. Because this is beyond the ability of industry players, we ask the government to pay attention to this problem as a G2G problem," said the source when contacted by SUAR, Wednesday (10/9).

The source stated that what the FDA wants is not something complicated. Namely, an explanation of the root of the problem and an answer from the Indonesian government, which can be represented by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) or the Ministry of Trade.

The source stated that what the FDA wants is not something complicated. Namely, an explanation of the root of the problem and an answer from the Indonesian government.

However, instead of providing an official statement with quantitative measurement results from Bapeten, the government only provided verbal clarification.

"We can't do anything. We can't ask farmers or factories to do something because the fault is not theirs. This radioactive problem is only for the government to solve. Unfortunately, the government is defensive and saying things that the US does not want," the source said.

"This unclear answer makes the US Government wonder even more," he continued.

If this uncertainty is not immediately addressed by the government, industry players fear that order withdrawals could soon occur from potential and existing buyers in other countries. "The losses that have already occurred will take a very long time to recover," the source concluded.

Considered incidental

Responding to the complaint, Head of the Agency for Quality Control and Supervision of Marine and Fishery Products of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Ishartini stated that he had provided answers to the FDA. "Everything has been explained to the FDA," Ishartini said briefly when contacted by SUAR, Wednesday (10/9).

In a previous press statement, Ishartini stated that the radioactive issue in Indonesian frozen shrimp products was incidental and casuistic, not occurring in other places and containers. KKP has followed up and FDA set a red list only on shrimp products from PT BMS in Cikande industrial area, Banten.

Bapeten found suspected radioactive exposure outside the PT BMS factory area in Cikande. Namely, from airborne scrap metal contamination and metal processing plants around the area.

With the temporary suspension of production and localization of the factory area to prevent further risk to other batches of products, KKP has engaged BRIN, the police, and the Ministry of Environment to review the site and provide comprehensive handling.

"This case is casuistic, only occurs in certain shipments, so it does not affect other additions. With quick action, cross-agency coordination, and information disclosure, we are committed to maintaining our export reputation, ensuring Indonesian shrimp is safe for consumption, and trusted by the international market," said Ishartini.

Trust is crucial

Indun Dewi Puspita, a lecturer in fishery product technology at the Faculty of Agriculture, Gadjah Mada University, believes that this case should be a lesson for all stakeholders, from farmers and processors to exporters and the government.

"This issue should not be underestimated. Because rejection from an economic perspective is a significant loss, especially because the export product cannot be consumed or utilized at all. As a result, Indonesian fishery products are now being scrutinized by the global market, and product quality must be carefully considered," Puspita said on Thursday (21/08).

Puspita stated that international market trust is crucial. Strict certification and high food safety standards are set not without reason, but to meet buyers' expectations that the products consumed will not pose a risk, even for the long term.

"This case illustrates that a small gap in the production chain can have a long-lasting impact on buyer confidence. Problematic product quality issues will have a long-term impact on sales and product selling prices in the future," he said.

"This case illustrates that a small gap in the production chain can have a long-lasting impact on buyer confidence," Puspita said.

To address this issue in the long term, Gadjah Mada University has developed an early rapid detection instrument to prevent contamination in fishery products. In addition, involving universities and scientific research in coaching and reaching out to industry players is necessary.

"Universities play an important role in research, enriching industry players on safety, and developing standardization policies to prevent biological or chemical contamination in fishery products," Puspita said.