Indonesia resumes shrimp exports to the US

The Indonesian Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (KKP) announced that it has reached a special agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing thousands of containers of Indonesian shrimp to continue to be cleared into the country's market.

The agreement was signed on October 18 (US time), after many rounds of intense negotiations between the two sides. This move comes in the context of Washington preparing to apply Import Alert #99-52 policy on October 31, 2025, causing great concern for Indonesian shrimp exporting enterprises.

Ms. Ishartini - Director of Quality Control and Supervision of Fisheries Products under KKP - said that the FDA has agreed to allow thousands of containers of Indonesian shrimp - currently en route to the US and expected to arrive after October 31 - to be imported without being detained under the new regulations.

“They have granted special permission for thousands of containers of shrimp that are in transit and will arrive in the US after the policy takes effect,” Ms. Ishartini confirmed to reporters.

Under Import Alert No. 99-52, the FDA will increase its scrutiny of shrimp originating from Java and Lampung to ensure that the product is not contaminated with radioactive Cesium-137.

Once the policy takes effect, all shrimp shipments from these areas must be accompanied by an official certificate from a competent authority in Indonesia confirming there are no traces of radiation before being allowed to be imported into the US.

The new regulation has made Indonesian shrimp exporters particularly worried, because thousands of containers have left the port but will arrive in the US after the October 31 deadline, when they have not yet completed the new type of certificate.

“We have convinced the FDA that the more than 1,000 shrimp containers that will arrive in the US after that date have all gone through a rigorous quality control process, accompanied by a Seafood Quality Certificate (SMKHP) issued by KKP,” said Ms. Ishartini.

According to her, all special shipments will still undergo additional FDA inspection upon arrival to ensure there is absolutely no radioactive Cesium-137 contamination, just like with shipments arriving before the October 31 deadline.

Source: https://vtv.vn/indonesia-noi-lai-xuat-khau-tom-sang-my-100251020075414846.htm