A practical, apples-to-apples method to convert Indonesian IQF glazed prices to true net edible weight in 2025. Includes a simple formula, real examples on edamame at 20% glaze, spec checklists, and port adjustments for Surabaya vs Semarang.
If you’re shortlisting Indonesian IQF suppliers for 2025, you’ve probably noticed the same headache we see weekly. Quotes look attractive on paper, but they’re not comparable. Glaze levels vary. Pack sizes change. One factory quotes FOB Surabaya while another quotes FOB Semarang. And after an hour of spreadsheet work, you’re still not confident you’re comparing net edible kilograms.
We’ve spent years buying and exporting IQF vegetables out of Indonesia. Here’s the straightforward method we use to normalize quotes so you can compare them on a true net basis and negotiate with confidence.
The three pillars of clean, comparable IQF pricing
- Standardize weight. Convert every quote from glazed weight to net edible weight using a consistent solid content method.
- Normalize specification. Align defect tolerance, grade, and pack size. These three quietly move price more than most buyers expect.
- Reconcile FOB logistics. Adjust for port, packaging extras, and line-item charges that aren’t always inside the unit price.
Do this, and you’ll cut through noise in minutes.
Pillar 1: Standardize weight (glazed vs net)
Are Indonesian IQF FOB prices quoted on glazed weight or net weight?
In Indonesia, most IQF factories still quote per kilogram on glazed weight by default. Some will offer “solid content pricing” on request, but the standard is glazed. That’s fine. You just need a single conversion step.
How do I convert a 20% glaze FOB price to a net edible kg price?
Use this simple formula.
- Solid content fraction = 1 − glaze percentage
- Net price per edible kg = Glazed price ÷ Solid content fraction
Example with 20% glaze:
- Solid content fraction = 1 − 0.20 = 0.80
- If the quote is $1.70/kg glazed, the net edible price = $1.70 ÷ 0.80 = $2.125 per net kg
What’s interesting is how often the “cheaper” glazed price is actually higher on a net basis once you run this math.
What glaze percentage is standard for Indonesian IQF edamame and okra in 2025?
Our 2025 norms:
- Edamame in pod: 15–20% glaze common. Premium retail SKUs sometimes target 10–12% but expect a higher net price.
- Okra (whole or sliced): 10–15% glaze typical.
- Mixed vegetables: 3–5% glaze.
- Sweet corn kernels: usually 0–2% glaze.
- Bell peppers/paprika strips: 5–8% glaze.
If a supplier won’t specify glaze, assume the high end and insist it’s printed in the PI. For reference, see our Premium Frozen Edamame, Premium Frozen Okra, Frozen Mixed Vegetables, and Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed specs where we state glaze ranges.
Takeaway: Always convert to net using the solid content formula before you shortlist or negotiate.
Pillar 2: Normalize specification (defects, grade, pack size)
How much does tightening defect specs change the FOB price?
More than you think. Tighter specs drive lower yield and more rework, which raises cost.
- Edamame example. Blemish ≤5% vs ≤2% typically adds $50–120/MT on a net basis, depending on harvest quality. That’s $0.05–0.12 per kg.
- Okra example. Stricter tip breakage or seed maturity specs can add $40–90/MT.
If you care about a defect, define it clearly and put it into the PI. Otherwise, factories will assume standard Grade A, which varies by plant.
Grade A vs B: does it matter for price?
Yes. Grade A usually tightens color, size uniformity, and tolerance on broken pieces. Expect Grade A to run $60–180/MT above Grade B for mainstream items. If one quote says “Grade A retail” and another is “processing grade,” you must normalize grade or you’ll draw the wrong conclusion on price.
Does pack size (500 g vs 1 kg) change the net price per kg?
It does. Smaller retail packs need more film and handling.
- Typical uplift for 500 g vs 1 kg: add $0.05–0.12 per kg to the 500 g offering, all else equal.
- Retail-ready printing, zip features, and thicker film can add another $0.02–0.05 per kg.
If your goal is lowest cost per edible kg, ask for 1 kg or bulk 10 x 1 kg in master cartons. If you’re targeting retail convenience, budget the uplift into your net normalization.
Takeaway: Align defect spec, grade, and pack size before comparing price. If you can’t align, quantify and adjust using sensible adders.
Pillar 3: Reconcile FOB logistics (port and extras)
What’s included in Indonesian FOB price and what’s excluded?
FOB in Indonesia generally includes product, inner and outer packaging, export clearance, and trucking to the named port, loaded on board. But we regularly see extras handled outside the per kg price. Ask if the following are included in the unit price or billed per container.
- Pallets. Wood pallets in Indonesia run roughly $15–25 each. A 40’HC with 20 pallets adds about $300–500 per container. Spread over 24 MT, that’s $0.013–0.021 per kg. If your unit price excludes pallets, add that number when normalizing.
- Inner liners or special film thickness. Thicker LDPE liners can add $0.02–0.04 per kg.
- Private labels, stickers, and multi-language printing. Often $0.01–0.03 per kg.
- Third-party inspection (SGS, etc.). Priced per container, small impact per kg but include it for fairness.
We’ve also seen pre-cooling charges, extra plug-in time, or special documentation billed separately. Clarify early.
How do I compare quotes from Surabaya and Semarang on a net basis?
Both are key gateways in Java, and both are fine for frozen. Differences show up in inland logistics and terminal handling.
- Inland trucking. A factory in East Java may be cheaper to Surabaya than to Semarang by $50–150 per container. West/Central Java can favor Semarang.
- THC and schedules. Line choices and THC differ slightly by port and shipping line.
Normalize by adding or subtracting a port adjustment per container, then convert to per kg. If the Semarang route adds $120 per container vs Surabaya, that’s about $0.005 per kg on a 24 MT load. Small, but it’s the right way to get apples to apples.
Takeaway: Ask for FOB Surabaya or FOB Semarang specifically. If suppliers insist on different ports, apply a simple container-level adjustment and convert to per kg.
A quick worked example (edamame at 20% glaze)
You receive two Indonesian quotes for edamame in pod, Grade A.
- Supplier A: 1 kg packs, 20% glaze, FOB Surabaya, $1.70/kg glazed. Pallets included.
- Supplier B: 500 g packs, 15% glaze, FOB Semarang, $1.82/kg glazed. Pallets excluded.
Step 1. Convert to net edible price.
- A net = 1.70 ÷ 0.80 = $2.125/kg
- B net = 1.82 ÷ 0.85 = $2.141/kg
Step 2. Pack size adder.
- B uses 500 g. Add $0.07/kg for smaller pack. B adjusted net = $2.211/kg
Step 3. Pallet cost.
- B excludes pallets. Add $0.018/kg. B adjusted net = $2.229/kg
Step 4. Port normalization.
- Your lane favors Surabaya by $120 per container vs Semarang. Add $0.005/kg to B. B adjusted net = $2.234/kg
Conclusion: On a true net basis, A = $2.125/kg vs B = $2.234/kg. Supplier A is about $0.11/kg better like-for-like.
If you want us to run your quotes through this exact normalizer, send them over and we’ll reply with a clean net comparison. Quickest is to Contact us on whatsapp.
2025 sanity checks: fair FOB ranges on a net edible basis
We avoid publishing hard price lists because farms and yields move, but buyers ask for a ballpark. Here’s what we’re seeing for mainstream Indonesian IQF, Q1–Q2 2025, Grade A, standard glaze converted to net.
- Edamame in pod. $2.05–2.35/kg net. Retail-glaze, fancy packs sit at the top end.
- Okra (whole/sliced). $1.45–1.85/kg net.
- Mixed vegetables (30/30/20/20). $1.10–1.35/kg net.
- Bell peppers/paprika strips. $1.70–2.20/kg net.
- Sweet corn kernels. $1.05–1.30/kg net.
Use these only as a filter. If a net price sits far outside these windows, there’s probably a spec, glaze, or grade story to uncover. You can also cross-check product specs here: Premium Frozen Edamame, Premium Frozen Sweet Corn, and Frozen Mixed Vegetables.
Common mistakes that skew comparisons
- Comparing glazed to net. Fix this first with the solid content formula.
- Ignoring defect and grade definitions. Ask for the spec sheet and confirm defect tolerances by percent and definition.
- Overlooking pack size costs. 500 g vs 1 kg isn’t neutral.
- Forgetting pallets or inner liners. These show up at the container level and quietly move the per kg math.
- Not aligning ports. Surabaya vs Semarang is small per kg, but it’s real.
Quick checklist you can copy into your RFQ
- Glaze percentage: ____% with solid content defined as ____%
- Net edible price requested: yes/no
- Grade: A/B. Defect tolerances listed with definitions: yes/no
- Pack size and film specs: ____
- Pallets included: yes/no. If no, cost per container: ____
- Inner liner thickness or special bags: ____
- Port: FOB Surabaya or FOB Semarang
- Any third-party inspection charges: ____
Where this applies (and where it doesn’t)
This guide is strictly for FOB Indonesia quote normalization. It doesn’t include CIF/DDP landed costs, duties, or destination charges. Use it to shortlist suppliers, run fair negotiations, and avoid those nasty post-award surprises.
If you need sample specs, product references, or a quick gut-check on a quote, View our products and ping us your draft RFQ. We’ll share what’s working right now based on active 2025 shipments.