Indonesia’s Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) district in East Kalimantan is steadily expanding its role in the global herbal commodity market, exporting between 200 and 300 tonnes of kratom leaves each month to international destinations including the United States, India, Thailand, and the Czech Republic.
Local authorities say the growing trade reflects both rising global demand and the region’s increasing capacity to develop high-value agricultural exports. Kratom, derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, has long been used in traditional herbal practices and is now attracting wider commercial interest in international markets.
Kukar Regional Secretary Sunggono said the district government is actively supporting kratom as a strategic commodity with strong economic potential for local communities.
“The Kukar district government continues to support the development of kratom as one of the region’s key commodities with vast potential to boost the economy and improve farmers’ welfare,” he said.
His remarks were delivered during a comparative study meeting on kratom development involving the Agriculture and Food Security Office of North Kalimantan on Thursday (April 16), according to an official statement released on Sunday.
Sunggono noted that global demand for kratom products has continued to increase in recent years, creating new opportunities for producing regions in Indonesia.
“Demand for kratom in international markets continues to rise,” he said. “This represents a huge opportunity that prompts us to improve both quality and productivity.”
He added that the district government is working closely with farmers, business operators, and local cooperatives to ensure that production processes align with international standards. The aim is to strengthen competitiveness in global supply chains while maintaining sustainable cultivation practices.
According to local officials, efforts are being made to improve harvesting methods, post-harvest handling, and processing techniques in order to meet the quality expectations of export markets. This includes training programs and technical assistance for farmers in key producing areas.
Within Kukar district, Tenggarong Seberang Subdistrict has emerged as one of the largest kratom-producing areas in East Kalimantan. The region is also home to facilities capable of processing raw leaves into higher-value derivative products, including dried and semi-processed extracts.
Local authorities view this development as a key step in moving up the value chain, allowing producers to capture greater economic returns rather than relying solely on raw leaf exports.
Officials say the expansion of processing capacity could help stabilize farmer incomes and reduce dependency on fluctuating international raw commodity prices.
Despite its growing economic importance, the kratom industry continues to face regulatory uncertainty in Indonesia. Concerns remain over the plant’s psychoactive properties, which have led to differing interpretations of its legal status in various jurisdictions.
Sunggono acknowledged that the unclear regulatory framework presents challenges for producers and exporters, particularly in terms of long-term investment and market stability.
He said coordination between national institutions has been initiated to address these issues and provide clearer guidance for stakeholders involved in the industry.
Government agencies step up research
At the national level, several government bodies are now involved in evaluating kratom’s regulatory status and economic potential. These include the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
According to Sunggono, these institutions have begun conducting scientific studies and policy assessments aimed at determining appropriate frameworks for cultivation, processing, and export.
“These institutions have begun relevant research and regulatory preparations to support kratom exports,” he said.
The coordinated approach is expected to help establish clearer standards for quality control, safety assessment, and international trade compliance, which could in turn strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global kratom market.
Local officials in East Kalimantan see kratom as part of a broader effort to diversify regional economies and reduce dependence on traditional commodities. However, they also emphasize the need for careful regulation to ensure that economic benefits are balanced with public health considerations and international compliance requirements.
The Kukar district government has reiterated its commitment to supporting farmers while also aligning with national policy directions as discussions on kratom regulation continue at the central government level.
As global demand continues to grow, Indonesia’s kratom sector is expected to remain under close policy attention, with its future development likely shaped by the outcome of ongoing regulatory and scientific evaluations.
