JAKARTA – Qahwa World
Indonesia has expanded its coffee export market with a new shipment of premium Arabica beans from the slopes of Mount Argopuro in East Java to Saudi Arabia, marking another milestone for the country’s growing smallholder coffee sector.
The shipment, totaling 15 tons and valued at around 3 billion rupiah (approximately 180,000 U.S. dollars), reflects Indonesia’s continued effort to strengthen its position in the global coffee trade and promote the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises in international markets. The consignment was officially dispatched on Monday, in a move hailed by government officials as a success story for local farmers and entrepreneurs.
Bagus Rachman, Deputy for Business Affairs at Indonesia’s Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, said the export from Mount Argopuro demonstrates the competitiveness of Indonesian MSMEs on the global stage. He emphasized that more than 90 percent of the nation’s coffee plantations are managed by smallholder farmers, who have become the backbone of Indonesia’s coffee production and export activities. Rachman described the Argopuro shipment as a model of how medium-scale enterprises can become a driving force within the MSME ecosystem, creating added value and expanding export capacity.
According to Statistics Indonesia, the country’s coffee exports rose from 279.94 million kilograms in 2023 to 316.72 million kilograms in 2024, underscoring steady growth despite challenges from fluctuating prices and global demand pressures. East Java, where Mount Argopuro is located, remains one of Indonesia’s key coffee-producing regions, known for high-altitude Arabica beans characterized by their clean cup, moderate acidity, and distinct aroma.
Local officials in Situbondo Regency, the region surrounding Mount Argopuro, praised the export as a breakthrough for community-based farmer groups that have invested in quality improvement and post-harvest processing. They highlighted that Argopuro’s elevation, reaching about 1,800 meters above sea level, contributes to its unique flavor profile, making it increasingly sought after in Middle Eastern and Asian markets. The local government also called for stronger support programs to encourage youth participation in coffee farming and ensure long-term sustainability of production.
Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade shows that the country exported coffee, tea, and related products worth more than 16 million U.S. dollars to Saudi Arabia in 2023. The new shipment from East Java is expected to deepen trade relations between the two nations, opening opportunities for future collaboration in the premium and specialty coffee segments. Saudi Arabia has become an emerging destination for Indonesian agricultural products, reflecting growing demand for high-quality Arabica beans in the region’s expanding coffee industry.
Industry observers say the success of this shipment could inspire similar initiatives across Indonesia’s coffee-growing provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and South Sulawesi, where MSMEs are working to boost exports of specialty varieties. The government’s ongoing push to promote downstream processing, improve logistics, and introduce value-added branding is seen as essential to enhancing Indonesia’s competitiveness in international markets.
Indonesia, the world’s fourth-largest coffee producer, has long been known for its diverse range of beans, from Sumatra Mandheling to Java and Toraja. With global demand for Arabica and Robusta continuing to rise, initiatives like the Argopuro export are expected to help the country expand its share of premium coffee markets, create higher income for farmers, and reinforce Indonesia’s image as a leading origin in the world of coffee.
