Trade Ministry Mulls Kratom Export with National Narcotics Agency

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trade Ministry will discuss kratom export with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM). Kratom is an herbal plant native to Southeast Asia said to contain psychotropics.

"[Kratom] is said to contain psychotropic but it's still being studied. There is also a discussion with BNN and other ministries," said the Director General of National Export Development Didi Sumedi when met on Friday, September 1, 2023. Kratom export development has to pass the recommendation by the Health Ministry.

Didi said there is a huge demand for kratom, especially from the US. Indonesia also has the potential to develop kratom cultivation, which has been widely planted in Kalimantan.

"[Kratom] has a quite big economic potential. I forgot the details, but Indonesia has large natural resources [for kratom]," he said.

Previously, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan green-lighted kratom export to the US, since there has been no prohibition in place.

There is indeed no mention of kratom in Narcotics Law, however, BNN has cited on its official website the dangerous side effects of kratom consumption. BPOM also has prohibited kratom consumption as supplements or herbal medicines. 

Despite this fact, Minister Zulkifli said his ministry will continue to push for kratom export. Indonesia's export, he said, has to be facilitated in order to reach dominance in the global market. 

"It's not our business if anyone is sick [from kratom consumption]," he said.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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