Kendang Jimbe Soars, Blitar Exporter Nets Billions in Revenue

drum djembeto become a bridge between local identity and global access. From the outset, this traditional musical instrument has become a flagship product that reinforces the uniqueness of Blitar's craftsmanship. With a strong vision and a mature strategy, Anik Sriati, founder of CV Cherry Blossom Indonesia, has successfully positioned kendang jimbe as a high-value export product.

First Steps: From Marketing to Exporter

Anik Sriati began her career as a freelance marketing professional. He/She sees a strong demand from international markets for local crafts, especially kendang jimbe. However, many foreign buyers have difficulty finding quality products that meet export standards. Seeing that opportunity, Anik decided to dive straight into becoming an exporter and to partner with various logistics partners to facilitate shipments.

His bravery has paid off. They founded CV Cherry Blossom Indonesia, an export company that focuses on traditional musical instrument products. Under this business umbrella, Blitar kendang jimbe drums have begun to be shipped to various countries such as China, Canada, and other parts of Asia.

Production Scale and Artisan Partnerships

Partnership and Quality Standardization

To meet the high export demand, Anik has formed partnerships with more than 20 local artisans in Blitar. The artisans are trained so that they can produce kendang to the same quality standards, from the selection of wood materials to the leather tanning process.

The kendang jimbe that are exported are generally made from selected mahogany wood with high-quality goat skins to produce a distinctive sound and high durability. When timber supplies run low, they collaborate with Perhutani to ensure a supply of legal and sustainable raw materials.

Production and Export Volume

In a week, CV Cherry Blossom is able to package up to four thousand kendang jimbe units for export. This amount is equivalent to four containers per month. The largest market share is in China, followed by Canada and several European countries.

In 2025, CV Cherry Blossom marked an important milestone with its first export to China comprising two containers containing more than five thousand kendang jimbe. The total orders received even reached seven containers, demonstrating the high level of confidence from overseas buyers in this authentic Blitar product.

Revenue Achievements and Challenges

From her business journey, Anik notes that her monthly turnover reaches three to five billion rupiah. In previous years, the company had managed to export as many as fifty containers with a value of around four hundred million rupiah per container. This figure shows that demand for djembe drums in the global market continues to rise.

However, the challenges still exist. The complex export administration process, customs regulations, and fluctuations in logistics costs pose obstacles that must be faced. In addition, maintaining the consistency of product quality amid high production volume becomes a real challenge.

On the other hand, the emergence of imitation products from abroad demands that Anik continue to innovate and strengthen the brand of Blitar's authentic kendang jimbe as a culturally valuable product.

Key Strategies for Success

• Focus on local specialty products.
  Turning kendang jimbe into not just a musical instrument, but a representation of regional cultural pride that has a unique market value.
• Maintaining export quality
  Each kendang unit undergoes a rigorous selection process—from raw materials and coloring to packaging—to ensure it is suitable for international markets.
• Establishing international connections
  Anik actively establishes communication with buyers and foreign trade associations to expand the market reach.
• Synergy with the local ecosystem
  He also collaborates with local government, business associations, and financing institutions so that local artisans receive ongoing support.
• Strategic market expansion
  The main export focus is directed toward countries with a high interest in traditional musical instruments and natural handicraft products.

Impact and Inspiration for Other MSMEs

The success story of Anik Sriati proves that local products have great opportunities in the global market if managed with vision and consistency. From the home kitchen to the export stage, this journey is tangible proof that Indonesian MSMEs can compete on the global level.

More than just a business, Anik's move also opens up opportunities for artisans in Blitar to improve their welfare. Hundreds of artisans are now feeling the direct benefits of the export of kendang jimbe, which has continued to rise every year.

For other MSMEs, the important lesson to be learned is to focus on regional specialty products, maintain export quality, and establish international connections. With that combination, small businesses can take steps toward the global market and become part of the revival of Indonesia's creative economy.

The Kendang Jimbe from Blitar is no longer just a symbol of tradition, but also a story of local economic success that has gone global. From the hands of artisans and the vision of Anik Sriati, the world recognizes that even simple musical instruments can resound internationally.
For other inspirational MSMEs stories, readers can continue reading similar articles at Insemination.