Sumbardaily.com, Limapuluh Kota – A total of 8 tons of robusta coffee from Lembah Harau, located in Limapuluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra, has officially been exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of Indonesia’s strategic effort to bring its agricultural commodities to international markets.
Before reaching the UAE, the Lembah Harau coffee was first transported to Medan, North Sumatra, where it was consolidated with an additional 11.2 tons of robusta coffee sourced from various regions in North Sumatra. The combined 19.2 tons then underwent a series of health and quarantine checks prior to export, ensuring compliance with destination country regulations.
Head of the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantin), Sahat M. Panggabean, emphasized that all certification and inspection processes must be conducted at the final point of dispatch — in this case, Medan. This measure is crucial to ensure that all outgoing commodities meet biosecurity and quality standards required by the importing country.
"Barantin will continue to support national exports by guaranteeing the safety and viability of outgoing commodities. Not only are we assisted by the West Sumatra quarantine office, but the entire shipment will also be inspected and certified by the North Sumatra quarantine authority as the final export gateway," said Sahat during the official export launch held on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking government officials, including Chairperson of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Siti Hediati Hariyadi — widely known as Titiek Soeharto — Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, and West Sumatra Vice Governor Vasko Ruseimy. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening local agriculture and expanding regional export capabilities.
Sahat also highlighted the significance of implementing traceability systems in the entire export process, from farm to final shipment. Such systems enable transparent tracking of a product’s journey, from cultivation and post-harvest processing to packaging and certification.
"Each export-bound commodity, whether in raw or finished form, must be fully traceable — its origin and handling clearly documented. This not only guarantees product safety but also ensures compliance with the technical standards of importing countries," he added.
Further reinforcing its commitment, the West Sumatra Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency has previously certified the export of 20.5 tons of coffee beans to multiple international destinations — including Thailand, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Malaysia — generating a transaction value of approximately IDR 1.6 billion.
This trend reflects growing international demand for high-quality Indonesian coffee and signals the increasing readiness of local producers to compete globally — especially when supported by strict quality control and quarantine oversight.
Meanwhile, Commission IV Chairperson Titiek Soeharto stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration, particularly between the Ministry of Forestry and Barantin, to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Indonesia’s agricultural exports.
"Cross-agency collaboration is essential to help farmers produce coffee that meets international standards. That way, our products can attract more demand and deliver positive economic impact for local communities," Titiek stated.
The successful export of robusta coffee from Lembah Harau stands as a testament to the strength of West Sumatra’s local commodities and their potential to thrive in international trade. It also reflects the broader aspiration to empower rural economies and support smallholder farmers by linking them directly with global markets.
As Indonesia continues to improve infrastructure, certification systems, and international partnerships, agricultural commodities such as robusta coffee from Lembah Harau are expected to play a growing role in boosting regional exports and contributing to national economic resilience. (red)
