Agricom.id, JAKARTA – The mangosteen farmers in Senduro Lumajang, East Java could be happy. In the corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic, their mangosteen harvest could be exported to many countries.

The shutdown of the flight to many countries does not decrease the spirit of the exporters to export “The Queen of Tropical Fruit” to many countries, especially, China.

Many took the positive when the mangosteen exports run well again, such as, the farmers in Lumajang. The selling price in the farmers’ level is good too.

“It is right that the mangosteen exports still run to China from Lumajang. The fruit is sent through the Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta. This is about to divert because of the expedition limit through the international flight to China when Covid-19 hits,” General Director of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture, Prihasto Setyanto said in Jakarta (27/4/2020), as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

Anton, his nick name, said that the good exports of the tropical fruit would be the positive one for the economy nationally, especially the farmers.

“They get the better price,” the alumnus of Univeristas Brawijaya said.

He also explained that the tropical fruit demands from many countries are good enough. In the Covid-19 pandemic, the people in many countries need vitamins from the fresh fruits.

“Mangosteen is famous to be good for the health. The foreign demands are good too. Based on what Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) said, we keep encouraging the tropical fruit exports no matter what it is. This is also part of Gerakan Tiga Kali Ekspor (Gratieks) that Minister SYL proposed. These are the good moment and opportunity for the exporters to fill the world markets but should obey the health protocol,” Anton said.

The Increasing Exports

Chairman of Asosiasi Petani Manggis “Senduro Makmur” Kandangtepus Senduro Lumajang, Sahul Priyadi (49) was happy for their harvest from the village could be re-exported again. He was doubtful because of the Covid-19 pandemic though they regularly supply the mangosteen to the exporters.

“We are happy for the export. Honestly we were doubtful that we could not export the mangosteen for the virus. Alhamdulillah, our partners (the exporters) could still export it through Jakarta,” he happily said.

He who also coordinates the collector in Lumajang said that in the early of March 2020 until now, they have sent 90 tons of mangosteen through PT Bumi Alam Sumatera (BAS).

From the previous experiences, he said that they could supply about 55 tons to exports. “The exports from Lumajang are good enough. Since March 2020 until now, we have sent 12 times about 1.000 boxes. Each box is 7,5 kilogram in average. The total would be about 90 tons. It still runs until May,” he said.

He continued, the farmers are grateful because the price in the farmers’ level is good though we are in massive harvest. The exporters buy about Rp 13 to 15 thousand per kilogram, based on the grade.

“If it is difficult to get, it could be Rp 45 to 60 thousand per kilogam. But if we sell it to the local buyers, it would be much cheaper,” he said.

In the other spot, Head of Horticulture, Plantation Agency, District of Lumajang, Donny Ananto said that there are massive areas to develop mangosteen in the region. The local mangosteen of Lumajang could be found in many sub districts, such as, Senduro, Guci Alit ,Pasru Jambe, Randu Agung, and Candipuro.

“The statistic showed that the 2019 production reached 631 tons. Its plantations are overlays, spots that the older left. The plantations might be tens or hundreds of years. It is predicted, there are about 170 hectares,” he said.

He also mentioned that the agency is open and ready to facilitate if there are other exporters willing to do partnership with the mangosteen farmers in Lumajang. To increase the exports, the agency keeps developing the groups and registering the plantations as one conditions to do exports.

“Many are not exported yet because the farmers still sell ‘in cut’. As the result, if they are in massive harvest, it is cheaply sold namely in this situation ‘Covid-19’. Luckily there are exports now and really help the farmers,” he said.

Based on the central bureau of statistic (CBS) nationally in 2019, the exports reached 246.476 tons or increased 8,03% compared to the previous year. The mangosteen centers are in Sumatera, Java, Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and South Kalimantan.

Some famous central regions are Purwakarta, Tasikmalaya, Bogor, Subang, 50 Kota, Solok, South Solok, Kampar, Purworejo, Tabanan, and West Lombok. Lumajang is one mongosteen production center in East Java besides Ponorogo, Jember, Malang, Trenggalek, Blitar, Jombang, and Banyuwangi. (A2)