Sustainable Rattan from Teluk Sumbang, Berau, Ready to Enter the European Market

Creative rattan products crafted by the community of Teluk Sumbang Village, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, are set to explore the European market. This follows the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Rotan Sejahtera Teluk Sumbang Forest Farmers Group (KTH) and PT Indonex Indo Basket, a Cirebon-based company specializing in rattan handicraft exports, on 28 October 2025 in Teluk Sumbang.

Mubrata Manik, the Chairperson of KTH Rotan Sejahtera Teluk Sumbang, revealed that under the agreement, PT Indonex Indo Basket will assist in marketing their products, such as rattan flower vases, to the Netherlands. Mubrata explained that the plan is to ship the goods directly from Berau to the Netherlands. They are currently organizing logistics and finalizing documents.

In addition to exporting finished products, the agreement also covers the supply of raw rattan materials by KTH Rotan Sejahtera to support the industrial and export needs of PT Indonex Indo Basket, while upholding the principles of sustainability, legality, and local community empowerment. The parties will uphold this agreement for two years.

This partnership is a significant milestone for KTH Rotan Sejahtera, which was formed in 2024. The group currently manages 650 hectares of land, producing an average of 44 tons per month. Their rattan products are sold as semi-finished or finished goods. "We will focus more on finished products to increase added value and create more employment opportunities," said Mubrata.

East Kalimantan is Indonesia’s second-largest rattan-producing region after Central Kalimantan. However, this potential remains underutilized. Most rattan shipped outside the island is sold as raw material at low prices, while major rattan industries thrive in regions like Gresik and Cirebon.

In Berau, the local government is actively developing sustainable commodities such as rattan to both protect forest areas—which cover 75% of Berau’s territory—and enhance community income.

Since 2024, the Nusantara Nature Conservation Foundation (YKAN) has been assisting KTH Rotan Sejahtera in implementing sustainable rattan cultivation. “Rattan carries strong economic, cultural, and conservation value. Its dependence on standing trees makes it a commodity that naturally supports forest preservation,” said Gunawan Wibisono, YKAN’s Policy and External Affairs Senior Specialist.

This assistance is based on a YKAN study conducted in East Kalimantan and Bulungan, North Kalimantan. The study focused on areas within the Integrated Regional Development (PWT) program, which is based on Social Forestry. Social Forestry empowers communities to manage forests effectively, thereby enhancing their livelihoods while ensuring conservation.

A three-month study (August–October 2024) revealed that good rattan cultivation practices were previously lacking. Harvesting had not followed sustainable principles, and data on artisans and weaving tools were unavailable. Economically, processed rattan commands a higher price than fresh fruit bunches (FFB) of oil palm.

Journey Toward Sustainable Rattan

KTH Rotan Sejahtera has held a Sustainable Rattan Certificate since 2025. Gunawan explained that the certification process requires several steps. The first is legal clarity on the land where rattan grows—whether it is within a concession area or not. “If it is not within a concession, Social Forestry permits are needed. Teluk Sumbang has obtained such permits under the Village Forest scheme,” he said.

After securing land tenure, the next step is technical training in sustainable rattan harvesting. This includes proper cutting techniques, ensuring only mature rattan is harvested, and leaving the young shoots behind. “The harvest quota is set according to land area and rattan regeneration capacity. Farmers are not allowed to harvest beyond the monthly or annual quota,” Gunawan added.

Once these requirements are met, KTH Rotan Sejahtera is eligible for certification from the Sustainable Rattan Certification Body. Gunawan emphasized that certification is crucial to ensure sustainable harvesting, increase market value, and meet European eco-labeling requirements.

“When rattan gains high economic value, it becomes a strategic driver for forest conservation. It can discourage shifting cultivation, prevent forest conversion to oil palm plantations, preserve forest stands, and reduce local communities’ interest in illegal gold mining,” Gunawan concluded.