Mangosteen exports in W Sumatra nearly doubled amid COVID-19

Padang (ANTARA) - In the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, West Sumatra's mangosteen exports have nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2019 based on data from the Padang Agricultural Quarantine Center.

"Based on data from the quarantine system in the period of January to July 2020 there were 143 shipments of mangosteen with a total of 475.5 tons valued at Rp21.4 billion. While in the same period in 2019 there were only 240.9 tons with a value of Rp10.8 billion, " Head of the Padang Agricultural Quarantine Center, Eka Darnida stated in Padang, Monday.

According to him, the increase in exports is thankful because in the midst of limitations due to the pandemic, farmers of West Sumatra mangosteen can increase export performance almost twice.

He conveyed that during pandemic, the West Sumatra mangosteen only exported to one country namely China, while in the previous year there were three countries such as Malaysia and Singapore

To speed up business processes, the Padang Agricultural Quarantine Center prepares inline inspection services.

There are currently five mangosteen exporters in West Sumatra, namely PT BA, PT AFA, PT BAS, PT SHB and PT EBS.

Previously the West Sumatra Provincial Government focused on regional-based agricultural development oriented to local wisdom and exports.

Based on the records of the West Sumatra Provincial Food Crops, Horticulture and Plantation Office has prepared an expansion of land for mangosteen gardens from 8,000 hectares and continues to be added up to 10,000 hectares to achieve a minimum production target of 80,000 to 100,000 tons per year.

Not only that, the Ministry of Agriculture through the Directorate General of Horticulture also provided 100,000 seedlings for 1,000 hectares of land.

In West Sumatra, mangosteen farmers are scattered in several centers, such as in Limapuluh Kota, Pesisir Selatan and Padang Pariaman Regencies.

Transleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani