A practical, no-fluff playbook to match Indonesian surimi grades to applications, read COAs correctly, and translate specs into realistic 2026 FOB Surabaya/Jakarta price expectations. Includes solids-cost math, container loading, payment terms, and a pre-shipment gel test checklist.
If you’re buying Indonesian surimi in 2026, the fastest way to waste money is to chase the lowest headline price per metric ton. The best buyers we work with compare on gel strength, whiteness, moisture, and species. Then they convert quotes into an effective solids cost. When you do that, you often save $70–150 per MT without sacrificing product performance.
The 3 pillars that actually drive surimi price
From years of quoting and shipping out of East and Central Java, three levers move Indonesian surimi pricing more than anything else:
- Gel strength. This is the primary driver of AA vs A vs B pricing. For tropical species like threadfin bream, AA lots typically test higher and more consistent across boxes.
- Color and odor. Lower yellowness index (YI) and neutral odor are crucial for imitation crab and surimi seafood shapes. Whiter pastes command a premium.
- Moisture and cryoprotectants. Moisture spec, plus sucrose/sorbitol and phosphate levels, affect yield and the true solids you’re paying for.
What’s interesting is how these interact. You can accept slightly lower gel if your process includes strong mixing and setting, but you can’t “fix” a yellow paste in a crab stick line. So know which compromises you can live with.
Match grade to application before you negotiate price
- Imitation crab sticks and kamaboko. Target AA or strong A threadfin bream with high gel and low YI. That keeps slice definition and color.
- Fish balls and chikuwa. A or B grade is workable if bounce is achieved by process adjustments. Mixed-fish A can be a smart value here.
- Fried cakes and value-added patties. B/C grades from mixed species can be fine if your recipe uses binders and flavors.
In our experience, three out of five new buyers overpay for AA when a robust A grade delivers identical sensory results in their line. Run a small pilot to find your true minimum.
2026 quick spec-to-price map (FOB Indonesia)
These are realistic ranges we’re seeing quoted for standard 10 kg blocks, export packed. Final numbers depend on month, catch, and lot test data.
- Threadfin bream AA grade. Gel strength about 800–1,200 g·cm. YI typically ≤ 28. Expect USD 2,450–2,900 per MT FOB Surabaya.
- Threadfin bream A grade. Gel strength about 600–800 g·cm. YI ≤ 30. Expect USD 2,200–2,500 per MT FOB Surabaya.
- Threadfin bream B grade. Gel strength about 400–600 g·cm. Expect USD 1,850–2,150 per MT FOB Surabaya.
- Mixed-fish A grade. Gel strength about 500–700 g·cm. YI 30–34. Expect USD 1,700–2,000 per MT FOB Surabaya.
- Mixed-fish B/C grades. Gel strength about 350–550 g·cm. YI 32–36. Expect USD 1,450–1,750 per MT FOB Surabaya.
FOB port note. Surabaya is typically USD 10–35 per MT more efficient than Jakarta for East/Central Java plants due to trucking and port fees. Jakarta quotes can be higher by a similar amount for the same lot.
How to read the COA without getting tripped up
You’ll usually see gel reported as breaking force (g) and deformation (mm). The product of these equals gel strength in g·cm.
Example. BF 850 g, deformation 10 mm equals 1 cm. Gel strength is 850 g·cm. If a COA only shows g, ask for deformation or the calculated g·cm.
Core COA targets we recommend for buyers:
- Gel strength (g·cm). See above ranges for grade. Ask for mean, min, and standard deviation based on at least five blocks.
- Whiteness. Either YI per ASTM E313 (lower is whiter) or L* a* b*. For crab sticks, aim YI ≤ 28 and L* ≥ 72.
- Moisture. 76–78% typical. Tighten tolerance if you cost on solids.
- Protein. 14–17% by Kjeldahl. Specify min if you cost per protein solids.
- TVB-N. ≤ 20 mg N/100 g for quality assurance. We prefer ≤ 18 in hot months.
- Cryoprotectants. Sucrose/sorbitol total 6–8%. STPP about 0.2–0.3%.
- Salt. Commonly ≤ 0.3% in base surimi.
- pH. About 7.0–7.5.
Practical takeaway. Add a clause requiring pre-shipment gel retest on a retained sample if arrival results deviate by more than ±10% of the COA mean under the same test protocol. That one line removes 90% of disputes.
What gel strength defines AA vs A grade Indonesian surimi in 2026?
For tropical threadfin bream lots, we see AA at roughly 800–1,200 g·cm and A at 600–800 g·cm, measured as BF × deformation. Suppliers may use slightly different cut-offs, so always anchor your PO to numeric thresholds, not just the letter grade.
How do whiteness and moisture specs affect FOB price from Surabaya suppliers?
Lower YI and tighter moisture specs usually add USD 30–80 per MT. The premium is larger in Q3–Q4 when raw material is darker. Moisture tighter than 76–78% often commands a surcharge because it reduces seller yield.
Which surimi grade is best for imitation crab sticks versus fish balls?
Crab sticks. AA or strong A threadfin bream with YI ≤ 28 and gel ≥ 700 g·cm. Fish balls. Solid A or B will work, especially if you optimize mixing, salt, and setting. Mixed-fish A is a good cost-performance option.
What COA values should I request to verify Indonesian surimi quality before booking?
Ask for gel strength g·cm with BF and deformation, YI or L* a* b*, moisture, protein, TVB-N, cryoprotectants breakdown, pH, and microbial counts per your market. Request mean, min, max across at least five sampled blocks from the offered lot.
Species mix: threadfin bream vs mixed fish and what it does to your price
Threadfin bream (Nemipterus spp) is the benchmark for high gel and clean color in Indonesia. That’s why AA and A from bream are priced higher. Mixed-fish pastes that include lizardfish, croaker, or bigeye snapper trimmings can hit A gel numbers but may carry higher YI and a slightly stronger odor. If your end product is deep-fried or heavily seasoned, mixed-fish A often provides the best value.
Effective solids-cost math you should use on every quote
Don’t compare USD per kg wet. Compare per solids and, if relevant, per protein solids.
Example. Quote A: USD 2.40/kg, moisture 76%, protein 16%, cryoprotectants 7%.
- Non-water solids fraction = 1 − 0.76 = 0.24. Cost per solids = 2.40 / 0.24 = USD 10.00/kg solids.
- Protein solids fraction = 0.16. Cost per protein solids = 2.40 / 0.16 = USD 15.00/kg protein.
Now compare to Quote B: USD 2.30/kg with 78% moisture, 15% protein. Wet price is lower, but solids-cost is worse. We’ve seen buyers save five figures per container by standardizing this calculation.
Logistics, MOQ, container loading, and terms
- 20 ft reefer capacity. Typically 24–26 MT of 10 kg blocks. Standard pack is 2 × 10 kg per master carton. That’s around 1,200–1,300 cartons depending on stowage and pallets. Palletizing reduces payload by about 1–1.5 MT versus floor-loading.
- MOQ. Most exporters prefer 1 × 20 ft container. Mixed grades are common with practical minimums of 5–10 MT per grade to maintain lot integrity.
- Lead time. 2–3 weeks for available stock. 4–6 weeks for made-to-order specs or color selections.
- Payment terms. For new accounts, LC at sight or 30% TT deposit and 70% against copy documents. Established buyers often move to 20/80 TT. Stick to Incoterms FOB Surabaya or FOB Jakarta for cleaner risk allocation.
How many metric tons of 10 kg blocks fit in a 20 ft container for surimi?
Plan 24–26 MT, depending on carton dimensions and whether you palletize. Ask your supplier for a load plan before booking the vessel.
What payment terms and Incoterms are typical for Indonesian surimi in 2026?
LC at sight for first shipments, then TT 30/70 or 20/80. Incoterms are most commonly FOB Surabaya or FOB Jakarta. Some buyers move to CFR once trust and lane reliability are established.
Pre-shipment gel testing that actually prevents disputes
We recommend one of two options:
- Supplier in-house test with video evidence. Specify water-bath settings, set/heat times, sample dimensions, and instrument model. Require duplicate tests on two blocks randomly drawn.
- Third-party lab in Surabaya or Jakarta. Add the lab report to shipping documents. Use acceptance tolerance of ±10% versus COA mean.
If you need help specifying the protocol for your application, Contact us on whatsapp. We can share a template that aligns with your line conditions.
Five mistakes we still see buyers make
- Ordering by letter grade without numeric thresholds. Grades vary by supplier. Always anchor to gel g·cm, YI, and moisture.
- Ignoring solids-cost math. Wet-price comparisons are misleading when moisture swings by 1–2%.
- Not asking for COA distribution. Means hide weak tails. Ask for min and standard deviation.
- Over-specifying whiteness for non-white final products. If you’re frying in dark batter, you’re paying for color you won’t see.
- Skipping a re-test clause. A single paragraph in your PO saves weeks of back-and-forth later.
Where this advice applies vs when it doesn’t
The above ranges and practices fit Indonesian tropical surimi in 10 kg blocks, 2026 supply conditions, FOB Surabaya/Jakarta. If you’re buying Alaska pollock or Pacific origins, or pre-seasoned surimi bases, the spec priorities and price bands differ. And if your plant has unique mixing or setting steps, you may reliably run lower gel than others. Validate with a pilot.
One last note. If you’re co-loading products for your frozen program, we process Indonesian whitefish portions that pair well with surimi SKUs. You can View our products to see options like Mahi Mahi Fillet or Snapper Fillet (Red Snapper) for retail and foodservice lines.
Reality check. Prices continue to see seasonal pressure from fuel and port charges. Booking earlier in peak months and being flexible on color within your acceptance range still beats the market. Questions about your spec or a lot you’re considering? Call us and we’ll give you a straight answer, even if it means steering you to a different grade.