Indonesia white pepper industry development

In mid‑July 2026, Indonesia’s Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Agency intensified supervision of Muntok white pepper shipments from the Bangka Belitung Islands to sustain farmer confidence and meet strong international demand. Agency head Herwintarti noted that “the international market continues to show strong demand for white pepper,” highlighting the role of the Go Export Program in improving quality. While 2025 saw 1.37 kt of exports, production fell from 12,009 tonnes in 2024 to 9,647 tonnes in 2025, a decline linked to the conversion of pepper farms to oil‑palm plantations.

To address sustainability and market needs, the government and the International Pepper Community (IPC) formalized a partnership under the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF‑SGP) on 22 July 2026. This memorandum targets capacity‑building, biodiversity‑friendly cultivation, and the development of value‑added products like perfumes, aromatherapy oils, and pepper‑coffee blends. Private-sector participants, such as PT Supa Surya Niaga, have pledged to link harvests to markets requiring strict food-safety standards.

By August 2026, export initiatives expanded, including an 8.2 metric ton shipment to the Netherlands. Data from the Indonesian Quarantine Agency indicates a rising trend, with exports through June 2026 reaching 919.5 tons, a 25.75 percent increase over the previous year. Additionally, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is working to market the commodity to 1,200 restaurants across 63 countries, utilizing the SAPA UMKM digital platform to assist small businesses with licensing and global market access.