Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union and Consumers Jointly Confirm "Eco-Shrimp" Production Site in Indonesia – First Local Event in 18 Years
Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union held its "Public Confirmation Meeting" in Indonesia for "Eco-Shrimp" production, the first local event in 18 years. Consumers and producers jointly audited sustainable extensive aquaculture practices and mangrove reforestation efforts, deepening transparency and trust in the supply chain.
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Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa) held a "Public Confirmation Meeting," a dual certification system where consumers and producers jointly audit production methods and quality control standards, from Tuesday, April 14, to Sunday, April 19, at Alter Trade Indonesia (ATINA), headquartered in East Java, Indonesia. For the first time in 18 years since it was last held locally in 2008, Pal System users and auditors visited the "Eco-Shrimp" farming and processing sites, comprehensively examining environmental conservation measures and the social responsibilities fulfilled within the local community.
Group photo with shrimp producers in Pinrang
Unique Confirmation System Continuing for 25 Years
Since 1999, Pal System has continued its "Public Confirmation Meeting," establishing production standards through dialogue between consumers and producers, and ensuring quality through direct confirmation by users. The "Eco-Shrimp," which was the subject of this meeting, are cultivated through "extensive aquaculture," a method that utilizes natural terrain and ecosystems. It is a representative international direct-sourced product that Pal System has handled for a quarter of a century.
Eco-Shrimp harvest from extensive aquaculture
Challenge of Traditional Inheritance and Environmental Regeneration
During the Public Confirmation Meeting, participants visited aquaculture ponds and processing facilities in Pinrang, Sulawesi Island, and Sidoarjo, Java Island. They observed sustainable aquaculture methods that reduce environmental impact without relying on artificial feed or chemicals, and the harvesting process using 150-year-old traditional bamboo fishing gear called "Playan." A part of the mangrove forest, where ATINA has planted approximately 80,000 trees in Pinrang and 50,000 trees in Sidoarjo, was also inspected, deepening understanding of the mechanism that balances aquaculture with environmental conservation. They directly confirmed that used excavators and shrimp fry, donated by Japanese users after flood damage in 2022, have become a great support for recovery and continued production.
Shrimp delivered to the Pinrang factory. View of the Sidoarjo factory. Scenes from the Public Confirmation Meeting.
Sustainability Created by Trust
In the audit report after the inspection, ATINA's thorough management system and the trust built through long years of exchange were highly evaluated.
"The production standards and the social responsibilities that a company should fulfill are deeply ingrained at the sites, and sustainable aquaculture is being practiced. The 'spirit of coexistence' where ATINA staff, producers, and factory workers respect each other and dedicate themselves to product creation was felt throughout," and "Having engaged in direct dialogue for 25 years, we truly feel that the transparency of the production background is high, and an environment has been established where Japanese users can choose products without hesitation," were among the auditors' evaluations.
Pal System will continue to pursue food safety and sustainable production and consumption through "Public Confirmation Meetings" between producers and consumers. By choosing to purchase products, we aim to jointly address environmental and social issues in production regions and realize a "richer life and a symbiotic society."
Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union
Location: 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa
13 member co-ops / Total business volume of unified business system user members: 260.42 billion JPY / Total number of members: 1.762 million (as of end of March 2025)
Member co-ops: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Kyosairen, Saitama Prefectural Workers' Co-operative, Ai Co-op Miyagi
HP: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/
Group photo with shrimp producers in Pinrang
Unique Confirmation System Continuing for 25 Years
Since 1999, Pal System has continued its "Public Confirmation Meeting," establishing production standards through dialogue between consumers and producers, and ensuring quality through direct confirmation by users. The "Eco-Shrimp," which was the subject of this meeting, are cultivated through "extensive aquaculture," a method that utilizes natural terrain and ecosystems. It is a representative international direct-sourced product that Pal System has handled for a quarter of a century.
Eco-Shrimp harvest from extensive aquaculture
Challenge of Traditional Inheritance and Environmental Regeneration
During the Public Confirmation Meeting, participants visited aquaculture ponds and processing facilities in Pinrang, Sulawesi Island, and Sidoarjo, Java Island. They observed sustainable aquaculture methods that reduce environmental impact without relying on artificial feed or chemicals, and the harvesting process using 150-year-old traditional bamboo fishing gear called "Playan." A part of the mangrove forest, where ATINA has planted approximately 80,000 trees in Pinrang and 50,000 trees in Sidoarjo, was also inspected, deepening understanding of the mechanism that balances aquaculture with environmental conservation. They directly confirmed that used excavators and shrimp fry, donated by Japanese users after flood damage in 2022, have become a great support for recovery and continued production.
Shrimp delivered to the Pinrang factory. View of the Sidoarjo factory. Scenes from the Public Confirmation Meeting.
Sustainability Created by Trust
In the audit report after the inspection, ATINA's thorough management system and the trust built through long years of exchange were highly evaluated.
"The production standards and the social responsibilities that a company should fulfill are deeply ingrained at the sites, and sustainable aquaculture is being practiced. The 'spirit of coexistence' where ATINA staff, producers, and factory workers respect each other and dedicate themselves to product creation was felt throughout," and "Having engaged in direct dialogue for 25 years, we truly feel that the transparency of the production background is high, and an environment has been established where Japanese users can choose products without hesitation," were among the auditors' evaluations.
Pal System will continue to pursue food safety and sustainable production and consumption through "Public Confirmation Meetings" between producers and consumers. By choosing to purchase products, we aim to jointly address environmental and social issues in production regions and realize a "richer life and a symbiotic society."
Pal System Consumers' Co-operative Union
Location: 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa
13 member co-ops / Total business volume of unified business system user members: 260.42 billion JPY / Total number of members: 1.762 million (as of end of March 2025)
Member co-ops: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Kyosairen, Saitama Prefectural Workers' Co-operative, Ai Co-op Miyagi
HP: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/