How are U.S. tariffs impacting Indonesian shrimp farmers?

Indonesian shrimp farmer Denny Leonardo had to reconsider plans to expand his farm due to a drop in U.S. orders after the initial tariff threats in 2024. The industry estimates a 30% plunge in shrimp exports to the U.S. this year.

What is Indonesia doing to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs?

Indonesia is actively seeking to diversify its shrimp exports, with a focus on the Chinese market. Industry representatives have traveled to Guangzhou to promote Indonesian products, and are also exploring opportunities in the Middle East, South Korea, Taiwan, and the European Union.

How many workers' livelihoods are at risk due to the drop in shrimp exports?

According to Andi Tamsil, the head of Indonesia's shrimp farmers' association, the 19% tariffs could put the livelihoods of one million workers at risk.

Home / Business and Economy / Indonesian Shrimp Farmers Scramble for New Markets Amid U.S. Tariffs

Indonesian Shrimp Farmers Scramble for New Markets Amid U.S. Tariffs

6 Aug

•

Summary

U.S. tariffs force Indonesian shrimp farmer to reconsider expansion plans
Industry estimates 30% drop in shrimp exports to U.S. this year
Indonesia seeks to diversify exports to China, Middle East, and EU

Indonesian Shrimp Farmers Scramble for New Markets Amid U.S. Tariffs

In August 2025, the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's import tariffs is still being felt by Indonesian shrimp farmers, over 9,900 miles away from Washington D.C. Denny Leonardo, a 30-year-old prawn farmer, had planned to add 100 new ponds to his 150-pond farm on the southwestern tip of Java island this year, but was forced to reconsider when U.S. orders dried up after the initial tariff threats in April 2024.

While the latest 19% tariff, agreed with Washington in July 2024, is less than the initial 32%, the industry is still reeling. Andi Tamsil, the head of Indonesia's shrimp farmers' association, estimates the tariffs could see total exports plunge by 30% this year compared to 2024, putting the livelihoods of one million workers at risk.

To mitigate the impact, the Indonesian shrimp industry is now actively seeking to diversify its exports. China, the world's biggest importer of shrimp by volume, has become a focus, with Tamsil leading a delegation to Guangzhou in June 2025 to promote Indonesian products. The industry is also exploring opportunities in the Middle East, South Korea, Taiwan, and the European Union, especially as Jakarta is close to signing a free trade agreement with Brussels.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.