September 8, 2026 | 07:56 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Kepahiang District in the Bengkulu Province of Indonesia has made its first direct export of 19.2 tons of coffee to Italy, marking a major step in expanding international markets for the region's flagship commodity.
"Today marks an important and historic step for Bengkulu Province. This inaugural export is concrete proof that our leading regional commodity has quality, potential, and strategic value," Bengkulu Deputy Governor Mian said in Kepahiang on Monday, September 7, 2026.
According to Mian, the shipment provides momentum to strengthen the province's position as a coffee-producing region capable of exporting directly to global markets.
Previously, coffee produced in Bengkulu was often attributed to neighboring provinces because it was transported through ports in other regions before being exported under their names.
The direct shipment to Italy, Mian said, provides Bengkulu with an opportunity to strengthen its identity as both a coffee producer and direct exporter. He emphasized that the export milestone must be followed by a sustainable supply of raw materials so that market expansion goes beyond a single shipment.
The local government, Bank Indonesia, and other stakeholders must work together to ensure sustainable coffee production.
"We must sustain this breakthrough from upstream to downstream. We must avoid a situation in which an announcement is made, only for production to decline afterward," Mian added.
Head of the Bank Indonesia Representative Office in Bengkulu Province Wahyu Yuwana Hidayat said expanding export capacity was directly linked to strengthening the regional economy.
"Praise be to God, for the first time in the history of Bengkulu Province, today marks a milestone as we can export coffee directly from Bengkulu. Furthermore, this initial shipment is going directly to Europe, specifically Italy," Wahyu said.
He expressed hope that the inaugural export would not be a one-off shipment but would develop into a regular export activity, enabling international markets to absorb more of Bengkulu's coffee production.
Wahyu said the expansion of export markets and strengthening the identity of Bengkulu coffee are expected to generate greater added value for the commodity while improving the welfare of farmers, who are at the heart of the regional coffee supply chain.
Read: How Indonesian Coffee Farmers and Exporters Face EUDR Rules
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
More Free Meal Poisonings Hit Indonesia: 7 Sick in Bengkulu
3 hari lalu
A teacher at State Elementary School 59 in Bengkulu reported a foul odor coming from the Free Meal (MBG) package.
Indonesia's Bengkulu Hit by 5.5-Magnitude Earthquake, No Tsunami Threat
29 hari lalu
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck southeast of Enggano, Bengkulu
5.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Bengkulu, BMKG Says
8 Maret 2026
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 struck Lebong, Bengkulu.
Forced Into Online Scams, Four Indonesians in Cambodia Seek Embassy Help
26 Januari 2026
Four Indonesians are among those seeking protection at the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, after becoming victims of human trafficking.
M4.6 Earthquake Hits South Bengkulu; No Tsunami Threat
24 Desember 2025
A tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 shook South Bengkulu, Bengkulu Province, on Wednesday afternoon, December 24, 2025.
Rare Rafflesia haseltii Blooms Repeatedly in Bengkulu
4 Desember 2025
The blossoming of the very rare Rafflesia species in Bukit Balai Tanjung Gelang confirmed that Bengkulu is the home of Rafflesia hasseltii.
Job Training Institute Owner Arrested After Indonesian Migrant Worker Dies Neglected in Japan
4 Desember 2025
A migrant worker from Bengkulu, Indonesia, has died in Japan after allegedly being abandoned by their recruitment agency.
How Deforestation in Bengkulu Threatens the Survival of Sumatran Elephants
23 November 2025
At least 1,585 hectares of Sumatran elephant habitat have disappeared in Indonesia from January 2024 to October 2025.
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia and Turkiye Agree to Expand Civil Aviation Cooperation
26 Oktober 2025
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Indonesia's Bengkulu Coffee Secures US$1 Million Export Contract
26 Oktober 2025
The head of Bank Indonesia's Bengkulu branch expressed pride in the quality of Bengkulu's coffee and its recent success in securing an export deal.
