Jokowi’s Injury Time Kick: Seaweed Downstreaming with Export Ban Next?

President Joko Widodo's administration continues to rush the downstreaming agenda, placing renewed emphasis on the plantation and agricultural commodities, including seaweed. Indonesia is ranked as the second-largest seaweed producer, and a new World Bank report estimates that the seaweed market size for new and emerging applications – from bioplastics to biostimulants -- could reach US$11.8 billion by 2030.

"Indonesia boasts approximately 791 types of seaweed, including 201 green seaweeds, 138 brown seaweeds, and 452 red seaweeds. This diversity is what labels seaweed as the 'green gold' of the archipelagic waters, given its tremendous potential," explained Budi Sulistiyo, the Director-General for Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fisheries Products, in an interview with Detikcom on Jan 2.

In a statement made in December, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan underscored that seaweed downstreaming would be a major government initiative over the next five to ten years. He expressed confidence that its contribution to the economy could match or even surpass nickel, aligning with Indonesia's strategy to reduce dependence on mining commodities.