Banana stems and water hyacinth are used as materials for eco-friendly natural fiber crafts by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Indonesia’s Kebumen district, Central Java province, for export to the US.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Indonesia’s Kebumen district, Central Java province, have successfully exported their first eco-friendly natural fiber craft products made from banana stems and water hyacinth to the United States (US).

The MSME, PT AgrominaFiber Java Indonesia, shipped six containers containing 9,000 products worth 57,200 US dollars (USD).

The Director General of National Export Development at the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Fajarini Puntodewi, launched the first export of these products online on Tuesday (Sept. 16).

"PT AgrominaFiber's success demonstrates the ability of Indonesian MSMEs to produce unique, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing basketry products that are globally competitive. This achievement shows that from Kebumen, we can present competitive and sustainable local products demanded by the global market," Puntodewi said.

She explained that the first export began with PT AgrominaFiber's participation in Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2024, which then led to transactions.

The success of this first export is also the result of support from the Pertamina Foundation, as PT AgrominaFiber's mentor, she said, adding that the government will continue to support MSMEs to become a vital part of the global supply chain.

Present at the export launch were Kebumen District Head Lilis Nuryani and Director of Manufacturing Product Export Development Deden Muhammad Fajar Shiddiq.

Deden expressed his appreciation for this first export achievement and emphasized the importance of collaboration among various parties.

"This first export shows the collaborative efforts of the central and regional governments, as well as business players. We are ready to assist other MSMEs in maintaining quality and expanding their markets, particularly in the US," he added.

Meanwhile, Lilis stated that this first export has opened up extensive job opportunities for the community. "We are proud that Kebumen can become an export production base that enhances local potential and provides jobs for people," she said.

Prior to the US, PT AgrominaFiber Java Indonesia has also successfully export to Dubai, Belgium, Nigeria, and Chile. Furthermore, this MSME is targeting market expansion to other countries and the development of new products to become more competitive in the global market.

PT AgrominaFiber empowers more than 300 local artisans in different villages in Kebumen, creating a value chain that has a direct impact on increasing the income of the people and the regional economy.

In its production process, PT AgrominaFiber prioritizes environmentally friendly principles, using raw materials derived from organic waste such as banana stems and water hyacinth, complemented by natural dyes and a measurable wastewater treatment system.

Not only does the measure support environmental sustainability but also meet sustainability standards, which are now a primary requirement for many international buyers.

Rudi Hermawan, Director of PT AgrominaFiber Java Indonesia, explained that the uniqueness of Kebumen's handicraft products lies in their natural texture and color, which are sought after by the global market.

He said the company's participation in international exhibitions such as TEI was a crucial entry point for its eventual penetration into the US market.

"With TEI's support, our first export to the US was possible. In the future, we are targeting repeat orders, expanding into new markets, and developing innovative products such as baskets with the latest designs and woven hats," Rudi explained.

Global demand for Indonesian handicraft products is showing positive performance. Compared to the January-June 2024 period, national handicraft exports in January-June 2025 grew 7.39 percent to reach 253.72 million USD.

This trend is a strong signal for MSMEs to be more aggressive in expanding their market share internationally.

On the other hand, the global market for home decor products made from natural fibers also continues to grow.

In 2024, the value of global trade in natural fiber products in this sector exceeded six billion US dollars, with an average annual growth of nearly three percent.

This growth is even higher in several key destination countries, such as the US and the European Union, as consumer awareness of environmentally friendly and sustainable products increases.

Reporting by Indonesia Window