Indonesia's aquatech startup eyes European market

Indonesian aquatech startup, Aruna, is all set to ascend to new heights according to article by DealStreetAsia. As the company prepares to extend its operations to Europe in the near future, it is making significant shifts to align with European standards.

• Spearheaded by Utari Octavianty, Aruna's co-founder and chief sustainability officer, the company is looking to expand its export market.

• Aruna's reach currently spans all Southeast Asian countries, with the company now setting its sights on Europe, particularly tourist hotspots.

• The journey to the European markets is paved with challenges, the most prominent one being sustainability, which is a matter of significant concern in Europe. To overcome these hurdles, Aruna is dedicated to enhancing its Environment, Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) protocols, food safety norms, and waste management practices.

• The company plans to add commodities like tuna, skipjack tuna, and crab to its extensive list of export items.

• While the financial outlook of these new ventures remains undisclosed, Octavianty asserts that Aruna’s robust fundamentals will enable it to commit to sustainability issues.

• Since its inception in 2016, Aruna has been a reliable platform connecting local fishermen with buyers, including restaurants and exporters.

• The company has a considerable export market, with around 70% of its seafood products being exported to countries like the US, China, Singapore, Japan, Canada, and the Middle East.

• Indonesian seafood exports have seen a consistent rise over the past decade, with a significant increase from $5.72B in 2021 to $6.24B in 2022.