Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 03:22 AM

White pepper from Central Bangka set for Dutch export market

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Ahmadi, Rahmad Nasution

Koba, Bangka Belitung Islands (ANTARA) - White pepper from Central Bangka in the Indonesian province of Bangka Belitung Islands is poised to enter the Dutch export market as the district develops the spice as an export-oriented commodity.

Central Bangka District Head Algafry Rahman said the Netherlands is among the countries ready to receive white pepper from the district.

"We have also launched the Foreign Exchange Village, and one of its products is our white pepper, which we are releasing for global markets," he said here Monday.

Algafry said the white pepper initiative is being developed through the Foreign Exchange Village program to expand local commodity access to global markets.

Besides white pepper, the Central Bangka administration is preparing nipa palm sticks and processed fish products as key commodities under the program.

The initiative covers 10 villages: Sungkap, Keretak Atas, Namang, Kurau Barat, Kebintik, Benteng, Sungaiselan, Kurau, Air Mesu and Air Mesu Timur.

The program is being developed by the local government with the Government Investment Center, Indonesia Eximbank, the Directorate General of Treasury, village administrations, small businesses and local communities.

Mintarya, head of the Latih Asri Farmers Group Association in Sungkap Village, hopes the Foreign Exchange Village program can restore Sungkap's status as a key regional pepper producer.

Latih Asri comprises 17 farmer groups, each with about 25 members, managing a combined 50 hectares of pepper plantations.

Sungkap currently produces an average of 10 to 15 tons of pepper annually, selling for about Rp140,000 to Rp150,000 (US$7.8 to US$8.4) per kilogram.

Mintarya said limited market access remains a challenge for farmers, adding that new markets could increase absorption of their output.

"Our marketing is still limited. Hopefully, market access will expand further," he said.

Farmers also plan to improve product quality by developing superior local seed varieties so Sungkap pepper can meet demand from broader markets.

"We will first improve the seed varieties and develop them further together with our colleagues in the farmers' group association," Mintarya said.

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