Indonesian Official Urges Faster Implementation of Kratom Trade Rules

In an effort to boost Indonesia’s agricultural and export sectors, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko has called for an acceleration of the establishment of kratom trade regulations.

The recent meeting held in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta included representatives from various ministries and agencies, highlighting the collaborative effort to manage kratom trading effectively. Representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Finance, Trade, Cooperatives and MSMEs, Environment and Forestry, and the Agricultural Quarantine Agency were all in attendance.

Moeldoko emphasized the need for a proper legal framework and trade management system to protect farmers and businesses involved in kratom exportation.

Kratom, primarily grown in West Kalimantan, a province on the island of Borneo, offers substantial economic benefits to Indonesia, with millions of trees growing in the region.

Moeldoko stressed the importance of standardizing kratom exports to meet international health and safety standards, and to avoid rejections due to contamination.

Indonesian farmers have reportedly lost millions of dollars due to American buyers rejecting contaminated shipments. More and more kratom farmers and farmers' co-ops have voluntarily implemented increased standards. However, standards have not been set by the Indonesian government.

Since August 2022, the Presidential Staff Office has been overseeing the governance and trading procedures for kratom, following President Joko Widodo’s orders.

Indonesia's National Narcotics Board has previously expressed the desire to outlaw kratom. However, most government agencies do not agree with this approach.

Most of the world's kratom supply is grown in Indonesia. The United States, the largest consumer of kratom, buys 95% of its supply from Indonesia.

In 2021, Thailand legalized kratom and has made significant maneuvers in science and policymaking that suggest the development of a kratom export industry.