Indonesia’s $153,000 Herbal Deal with Saudi Arabia Paves Way for Global Jamu Push
Indonesia has secured a $153,000 export deal for herbal products with a Saudi Arabian buyer, marking a new market opening for traditional remedies in the Middle East while the government aggressively promotes its ancient jamu medicine as the next global wellness trend.
Indonesia’s herbal industry has locked in a Rp2.5 billion (US$153,000) export deal with a buyer in Saudi Arabia, opening a fresh market for traditional Indonesian remedies in the Middle East [177455]. Officials confirmed the shipment will include herbal drinks and supplements, supporting the government’s push to expand non-oil exports [177455].
At the same time, Indonesia is positioning its traditional herbal medicine, known as jamu, as a major player in the global wellness industry [173694]. Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya announced that jamu will be promoted as a national asset with international potential [173694]. Jamu is a blend of natural ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, and tamarind, used for centuries to boost health and treat ailments [173694]. The government aims to modernize production and marketing to compete with other global health products [173694].
The Ministry of Culture is also exploring a partnership with China State Construction International to build a traditional medicine center that would combine Indonesian herbal knowledge with Chinese medical practices [176068]. Officials say the collaboration aims to boost research and production of natural remedies, though no formal agreement has been signed yet [176068].