Unlocking Blue Foods Resources for Food and Nutrition Security in Indonesia
Indonesia holds significant potential to enhance food and nutrition security through greater integration of blue foods—nutrient-rich aquatic plants and animals—into its food system. Despite being the second-largest fish producer globally and leading ASEAN in production value, the country struggles with underutilization of marine-based food resources due to challenges in infrastructure, distribution, and policy coherence. Small-scale fisheries dominate the sector but face high post-harvest losses and limited access to markets. Domestic consumption remains low, particularly for marine fish, while export continues to be prioritized. Strategic interventions, including data-driven policymaking via the Indonesia Food System Dashboard, improved infrastructure, and private sector partnerships, are essential to unlock the economic, nutritional, and environmental benefits of blue foods and ensure their equitable distribution across Indonesia.