Japan Potential Market For North Sulawesi`s Wooden Fish

Manado, North Sulawesi, Aug 1 (Antara) - Japan has become a potential market for wooden fish from North Sulawesi, marked by an increasing demand for the product, a local official said.

"By by the third of July, 25 tons of wooden fish had been exported to Japan earning US$138,295 for the region," North Sulawesi`s head of industry and trade Olvie Atteng said here on Friday.

Orders for "katsuobushi" from Japanese buyers kept coming every week, more than from other countries, she said.

She said in Japan the fish was again processed to various other kinds of products ranging from foods, spices to perfume.

"The wooden fish is produced by heating at a certain temperature so the fish becomes hard like wood, thus making it last for a long time," she said.

Wooden fish from North Sulawesi is a delicacy unlike that of other regions because of its taste, texture, and quality, she said.

Apart from Asian countries, the product is also being exported to Europe, Africa, and the United States, she said.

Olvie said the government would continue to facilitate exporters, so that they could meet overseas demand and increase their markets.

In addition to marine products, North Sulawesi is also famous for agricultural and plantation products. ***2***