Qatar and Libya Become South Sulawesi New Export Destinations

Qatar and Libya are now export destination countries for South Sulawesi’s agriculture commodities. Head of Makassar Agricultural Quarantine Center (BBKP) Lutfie Natsir said that the two countries have extended the list of destination countries for South Sulawesi’s agriculture exports.

“Two Middle Eastern countries, namely Qatar and Libya. They are the new markets for South Sulawesi’s agricultural commodities. Especially for cloves,” he said in a statement in Makassar (21/02/2023).

Reported by antaranews.com, According to Lutfie, Arab or Middle Eastern countries like the spices belonging to South Sulawesi because of the aroma of cloves. In contrast to Malaysia who actually like it because of the taste. This demand opens a great opportunity for South Sulawesi farmers. To fulfill this, farmers need to focus more on increasing their production. Especially related to the quality of its products, so it can meet export criteria.

Lutfie also explained that his party continues to encourage exporters to expand their market. One of them is business to business (B2B) or transactions between companies. Not only that, his party also set export targets that South Sulawesi exporters could fulfill.

“God willing, the (export target) can be met because the potential for our cloves in South Sulawesi is quite large. Mainly in the Palopo, Sinjai and Gowa Regencies,” he explained.

Previously, BBKP Makassar, the Ministry of Agriculture, released 32 tons of clove exports to the Middle East market. Cloves exported to Qatar reached 12 tons or IDR 896 million. Meanwhile, 10 tons were exported to Libya or IDR 1.006 billion.

“As for me, I made it viral to the media (clove exports to Qatar and Libya) because these two countries are new export destinations for South Sulawesi. We hope to provide stimulation for other exporters so they can bring South Sulawesi’s agricultural commodities to the Middle East market,” he added.