Indonesia exports of ‘white gold’ soar on China’s hefty appetite for bird’s nests

[JAKARTA] Indonesia’s prominence as a significant exporter of edible bird’s nests is poised for further growth with surging demand from China.

Indonesian officials said that more companies are likely to begin selling bird’s nests to China this year, which means that the South-east Asian country’s role as a major source market is poised to get even larger.

Agus Karyono, head of the Indonesia Animal Quarantine Agency, said that four Indonesian companies are currently under final review and have been audited by China’s General Administration of Customs for approval to export later this year.