BERNAMA.COM
June 10, 2009 16:56 PM
China Opens Market To Indonesian Fruits
JAKARTA, June 10 (Bernama) -- China is now widely opening
its market to Indonesian specific fruits like manggis, rambutan and
others, Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy Gu Shengqian said in
Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said that in the past his country had rejected Indonesian specific
fruits, because of their pungent smell, and other reasons, Antara news
agency reported.
Durian, for instance Shengqian said, had been avoided by the Chinese,
but now like the durian from Thailand (known in Indonesia as monthong,
ed.) and from some other countries, are now flooding the market in
China.
The Chinese have now also started to like other Indonesian fruits like manggis.
"In China, the price of manggis fruit may reach Rp 60,000 equivalent
per kg, and they are available only at supermarkets," he said.
Besides, some other Indonesian commodities like rubber, pepper, bird's
nests, areca nuts, coffee and leather, had found a lucrative place in
the Chinese market, and their exports continued to increase.
Handicraft articles, like rattan goods and batiks also enjoyed brisk sales, he
said.
Head of the marketing development center for Asia, Australia, and New
Zealand Nuryati Lagoda said Indonesia's exports to China last year
increased 27.92 percent, or US$9.6 billion compared to US$8.3 billion
in 2007.
Indonesia's exports to China also increased 29,87 percent to US$8.5 billion
this year.
RI-China trade has also been positive each year, and in 2008 increased
31.74 percent, or US$18.2 billion, compared to US$14.9 billion in 2007.
-- BERNAMA
