Manado, N Sulawesi, (Antaranews Sulut) - The Indonesian province of North Sulawesi has enjoyed a high demand for its coconut flour in the Italian market, Head of the province`s Industry and Commerce Department Jenny Karouw stated here on Monday.
"In February, the export volume of North Sulawesi`s coconut flour stands at 25 tons and contributes US$53,750 to the province`s export revenue," she noted.
North Sulawesi`s coconut flour products exported to Italy are of high quality, she remarked, adding that in the past, the country had only sought nutmeg products, such as nutmeg and nutmeg flowers.
Local exporters should be able to identify any opportunity to expand their targeted markets in a bid to earn more foreign exchange, but they also need to maintain the quality of their export commodities, as international buyers remain cautious about it, she explained.
Coconut flour is a product obtained from coconuts and is processed in a way to become the main ingredient for making cakes, breads, and other items.
"Importers choose North Sulawesi`s coconut flour due to its good quality. Hence, the quality needs to be maintained or enhanced," she emphasized.
In order to expand the province`s export markets, the North Sulawesi governor has also urged local exporters to eye potential markets, such as the Unites States and countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, Karouw stated.
She noted that the governor expects export commodities to not only be limited to coconut products but also to coconut flour and its processed products to gain greater added value.
Besides Italy, North Sulawesi`s coconut flour is also exported to Germany, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Egypt, Slovenia, Brazil, Australia, Belgium, Uruguay, the United States, and Korea.
It is also exported to Austria, South Africa, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Lithuania, Argentina, Angola, Hungary, Norway, Kazakhstan, Poland, Georgia, Portugal, Latvia, and Greece.
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Reported by Nancy Lynda Tigauw
(T.KR-TQA/INE)
EDITED BY INE/A014
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A014) 19-02-2018 16:15:50
