Ilustrasi pembudidaya udang saat panen di tambak. (Foto: Kaltim Faktual)
SAMARINDA — East Kalimantan’s marine and fisheries sector has posted positive export performance throughout 2026, with tiger shrimp (udang windu) as its main driver. The East Kalimantan Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP Kaltim) recorded shrimp exports of 1,385.88 tons worth Rp274.74 billion from January to July 2026.
The figures were presented by Heliana, a technical policy reviewer for fisheries, aquaculture, and product competitiveness at DKP Kaltim, during a discussion on the resilience of the province’s fisheries sector in Samarinda on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
Tiger Shrimp, the Star Export
Among East Kalimantan’s fisheries commodities, tiger shrimp stands out the most. Heliana said tiger shrimp exports reached 769.9 tons worth around Rp173.3 billion. These figures cover a different reporting period from the January–July shrimp total; an earlier official provincial government publication listed the same tiger shrimp numbers for January–May 2026.
DKP Kaltim data also show fisheries exports of 670.3 tons in the first quarter of 2026 (January–March). In September 2026 alone, fisheries shipments totaled 360.32 tons worth Rp65.39 billion.
Reaching 12 Countries
East Kalimantan’s fisheries products now reach 12 export destinations. The main, stable markets are Japan, the United States, China, and Malaysia. Products are also shipped to Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
This market access is supported by international logistics links, including a direct cargo flight from Balikpapan to Wenzhou in China’s Zhejiang Province. Irma Listiawati, head of aquaculture and fisheries product competitiveness at DKP Kaltim, explained that the cargo service via Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport operates twice a week, every Monday and Thursday, with a capacity of around 7–12 tons per flight.
“This direct flight is very important to keep our region’s flagship seafood fresh until it arrives in the destination country.”
Irma Listiawati, DKP Kaltim
The air route is mainly used for fresh products such as eel, crab, and fish. Frozen products, including tiger shrimp and pink shrimp, are still exported by sea.
Berau Grouper and Fishing Villages
Beyond shrimp, East Kalimantan has other commodities with growth potential, including grouper farmed in Berau Regency.
Upstream, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and local governments are strengthening the Kampung Nelayan (Fishing Village) program. In East Kalimantan, three sites are part of this national strategic program: Loa Kulu and Sepatin in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, and Maratua Island in Berau Regency.
Heliana said the provincial government is fully committed to developing the maritime sector through collaboration with businesses, academics, fish farmer groups, and capture fishers. This synergy aims to strengthen guidance for producers and raise the competitiveness of East Kalimantan’s fisheries products in global markets.
The goal, she said, is to grow “a new, sustainable economic ecosystem based on the blue economy” by optimizing East Kalimantan’s marine potential.
Summarized from Bisnis.com, Kaltim Faktual, and JournalArta (in Indonesian).
