Demand for kratom in international markets continues to rise,Kukar, East Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) District in East Kalimantan exports 200 to 300 tonnes of kratom leaves monthly to various countries, including the United States, India, Thailand, and the Czech Republic, a local official said.“The Kukar district government continues to support the development of kratom as one of the region’s key commodities with vast potential to boost the economy and improve farmers’ welfare,” Kukar Regional Secretary Sunggono said.He made the remarks during a comparative study meeting on kratom development with the Agriculture and Food Security Office of North Kalimantan on Thursday (April 16), according to a statement cited Sunday.Sunggono pointed out that the valuable leaves, produced by Mitragyna speciosa, a Southeast Asian native tree widely cultivated in Indonesia for herbal medication, have become a profitable source of regional income.“Demand for kratom in international markets continues to rise,” he said. “This represents a huge opportunity that prompts us to improve both quality and productivity.”On that note, he said the district government continues to support business professionals and farmers in meeting global standards to fully capitalize on the opportunity.Sunggono highlighted that Tenggarong Seberang Subdistrict is among the largest kratom-producing regions in East Kalimantan, noting that the area hosts facilities capable of processing the leaves into higher-value extracts.However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly legal ambiguity surrounding the use and trade of the leaves due to concerns of its psychoactive properties.In response, he said, the central government has initiated efforts through the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).These institutions have begun relevant research and regulatory preparations to support kratom exports, he added.