Indonesia’s shrimp industry has struggled to gain significant market share in Russia. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the country’s shrimp exports remain substantially lower than those of competing nations. While Russia presents a lucrative market for fishery products, Indonesia lags behind key suppliers such as India, Ecuador, and Argentina.

India’s Dominance in Shrimp Supply

Budi Sulistyo, the Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP), highlighted that shrimp is one of Indonesia’s leading commodities in its trade with Russia. However, the market is overwhelmingly dominated by India. India’s shrimp exports to Russia amounted to USD 157.49 million, representing 44.9% of Russia’s total shrimp imports. Ecuador follows with a contribution of USD 125.74 million (35%), while Argentina and China account for 9.1% and 5.7%, respectively.

In contrast, Indonesia ranks fifth, contributing just 3.3% of Russia’s shrimp imports, equivalent to USD 11.54 million. This modest share underscores the competitive pressures Indonesia faces from other nations that have cemented their position in the Russian market.

Strategies for Increasing Export Competitiveness

To improve its standing, Indonesia has been actively engaging with major Russian seafood industry players, who control over 80% of the market. During a recent press conference, Budi emphasized the potential for growth in shrimp exports, particularly for smaller shrimp varieties, which are in high demand in Russia. Indonesia’s efforts include sending shrimp and tuna samples to Russian buyers and addressing technical barriers to market entry, such as registration and product familiarity.