International Standards and Export Access: Why Not Every Indonesian Edible Bird's Nest Reaches the Global Market

"Understanding Indonesia's Edible Bird's Nest Industry with RLCO" Series — Part 3 of 4

Recently, Indonesia's edible bird's nest industry has drawn attention after the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) announced the temporary suspension of export access for 19 companies to China due to non-compliance with food safety requirements, including issues related to aluminum levels. The incident serves as a reminder that in this industry, producing high-quality edible bird's nests alone is not enough. Ultimately, access to international markets depends on a company's ability to comply with and continuously maintain regulatory standards.

Regulatory oversight of the industry continues to increase in line with the commodity's growing economic value. According to Barantin, as of June 2026, there were 75 registered edible bird's nest companies in Indonesia. Of these, 50 companies had obtained registration under the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) system, while another 25 were still undergoing the registration process. Upstream, 4,204 swiftlet houses had been officially registered, with another 104 still under registration. Unsurprisingly, edible bird's nests have become one of Indonesia's leading livestock export commodities, generating an economic value of approximately Rp3.6 trillion.

Recognizing the importance of regulatory compliance, PT Abadi Lestari Indonesia Tbk (RLCO) began building the foundation of its certification system in 2017. Seven years later, the company had completed four major certifications that now serve as the basis for expanding international market access. The lengthy process was not simply due to administrative complexity, but because companies must pass two separate layers of regulatory requirements, both of which must be completed sequentially without shortcuts.

The first layer is domestic compliance. Before exporting, every company must satisfy Indonesia's regulatory requirements.

Since the implementation of Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 26 of 2020, edible bird's nests can no longer be exported in their raw form. Products must undergo cleaning and processing in accordance with established standards. Companies are also required to obtain a Veterinary Control Number (NKV), comply with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 8988:2021, provide a Veterinary Health Certificate for every shipment, and obtain Registered Exporter status for Edible Bird's Nests (ET-SBW). Chemical residue monitoring is conducted from swiftlet houses through processing facilities to ensure products remain within permitted safety limits.

However, meeting all domestic requirements does not automatically grant access to international markets.

The second layer lies in the destination country. Every importing country has its own regulatory authority, food safety standards, and registration mechanisms. As a result, certifications recognized in one country may not necessarily be accepted elsewhere.

China, which absorbs approximately 80% of Indonesia's edible bird's nest exports, requires every processing facility to be registered with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Applications are submitted through the Indonesian Quarantine Agency, acting as the competent authority responsible for recommending eligible facilities to Chinese regulators. Without this approval, products cannot enter the Chinese market even if they meet quality standards.

Different requirements also apply in other markets. The United States requires facility registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while Hong Kong maintains its own regulatory requirements through the Centre for Food Safety. For companies serving multiple export destinations, this means establishing and maintaining several compliance systems simultaneously.

RLCO pursued this process gradually. The company obtained ISO 22000 certification in 2017, GACC registration in 2018, FDA approval in 2022, and FSSC 22000 certification in 2024. Each certification strengthens RLCO's ability to serve different international markets while ensuring its food safety management system complies with regulatory expectations.

However, obtaining certification is not the finish line.

Every certification must be maintained through regular audits, updated documentation, consistent traceability systems, and continuous adaptation to regulatory changes. In other words, compliance is not a one-time achievement upon receiving a certificate, but an ongoing process that must be maintained every day.

The recent temporary export suspension demonstrates that the industry's biggest challenge is no longer simply producing high-quality edible bird's nests. The real challenge is maintaining regulators' trust so that access to international markets remains open.

Ultimately, quality creates opportunities. Compliance is what keeps those opportunities alive. In the edible bird's nest industry, certification is not merely an administrative document—it is the foundation of trust that enables products to cross international borders.

Next — Part 4: "Edible Bird's Nest Amid the Global Wellness Wave: The Realfood Brand and the Future of the Industry."