In a bid to enhance the quality and safety of kratom exports, the Indonesian government introduced new regulations in September 2024. These regulations, outlined in Minister of Trade Regulation Number 20 of 2024, prohibit the export of low-quality, untested, and contaminated kratom products. However, the transition to these new standards has led to significant shipment delays.
Chairman of the Indonesian Kratom Entrepreneurs Association (Pekrindo), Yosef, highlighted that the slow issuance of required permits under the new law has caused a backlog of three months since its implementation. Exporters are now waiting for a government-appointed inspector to file a report before the Ministry of Trade can begin the approval process for permits.
To secure the necessary permits, kratom exporters must ensure their products are free from microbiological contamination, heavy metals, and non-kratom leaf material. Only then can they be registered as official exporters and obtain export approval.
The kratom export industry in Indonesia, particularly in regions like West Kalimantan on the Island of Borneo, has been growing significantly.
Despite the challenges, Indonesia remains a major supplier of kratom to the United States, with 95% of kratom consumed in the U.S. originating from Indonesia.
However, contaminated kratom has posed significant issues in the U.S., leading to multiple outbreaks of Salmonella and the discovery of dangerous levels of heavy metals such as lead and nickel in some samples. These issues have resulted in American importers rigorously testing kratom shipments and refusing payment for contaminated products, causing substantial financial losses for Indonesian kratom farmers.
The new regulations follow a series of meetings involving local officials, American kratom industry representatives, and international scientists, aiming to establish standards that would make Indonesian kratom more acceptable in global markets. Despite the current delays, the Indonesian government hopes these measures will enhance the added value and global acceptance of Indonesian kratom exports.