Indonesian Mangosteen Bound For Australia

Jakarta, Dec 7 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian mangosteen has finally gained access to the Australian market after six months of bilateral negotiations. "Some negotiations with regard to the market access were also done when Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan met with Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson in Canberra on October 12 this year," the Trade Ministry`s director-general for international trade cooperation, Iman Pambagyo, said in a press statement here on Friday. "Although mangosteen consumption in Australia is not too high, the access to the Australian market is a diplomatic achievement, as the country has strict quarantine regulations," he noted. According to Iman, the acceptance of the fruit in Australia proves that Indonesian food and fruits have met international standards. "This achievement is expected to be a milestone for Indonesia, which will support efforts to export our tropical fruits export to other trade partners that have strict quarantine laws," he said. "Besides, Indonesian Agriculture Minister Suswono was present on the occasion when PT Agung Mustika Selaras exported 1 ton of mangosteen to Sydney on November 27 in PT Agung Mustika," Iman added. Last year, 117,600 tons of mangosteens were produced in Indonesia and 12,600 tons were exported. The export value of Indonesia`s mangosteen production in 2011 reached US$9.9 million. The country exports mangosteens to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East. Some of the major mangosteen-producing regions in Indonesia are Tasikmalaya, Purwakarta, Bogor, Sukabumi, Lampung, Kampar, Purwerejo, Blitung, Lahat, Tapanuli Selatan, Limapuluh Kota, Padang Pariaman, Trenggalek, Blitar, and Banyuwangi. "Currently, the government is also negotiating with New Zealand, another trade partner of Indonesia, to open its market to Indonesian mangosteen," Iman stated. "The bio-security team of New Zealand will visit Indonesia in the near future to examine Indonesian mangosteens," he added.