Processing Tomi-Tomi Fruit Into Wine and Juice Significantly Maximizes MSME Revenues in Maluku

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FORMOSA NEWS

Processing local tomi-tomi fruit (Flacourtia inermis Roxb) into high-value commodities significantly increases economic value and boosts revenues for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). A comprehensive agribusiness study conducted by researchers Miranthy S. Maspaitella, Martha Turukay, and Johanna M. Luhukay from Pattimura University, published in June 2026, reveals how strategic food diversification transforms underutilized natural resources into profitable products. By evaluating the production cycle of the Wayasel MSME in Negeri Rutong, Maluku Province, the study demonstrates that processing this native fruit into jam, juice, and wine generates vital economic opportunities and secures substantial profit margins for rural entrepreneurs.

Local Agribusiness Innovation Amid Shifting Economic Trends

MSMEs serve as the backbone of economic stability and community welfare across Indonesia, yet local enterprises remain highly vulnerable to fluctuating economic shocks. In Maluku Province, the total number of active MSME business units faced notable declines in recent years, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable product innovation based on indigenous resources.

From an agricultural standpoint, fruit consumption across the nation remains low at 37.2 kg per capita annually, falling short of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommendation of 65 kg. The native tomi-tomi plant grows naturally in areas like Negeri Rutong, where its population is preserved through local government and church initiatives. Rich in natural antioxidants and health-promoting anthocyanins, the sour-sweet fruit presents an ideal target for commercial agribusiness processing. The Wayasel MSME began processing tomi-tomi fruit into specialty foods in 2017, but scaling its economic impact required a formal evaluation of value-added distribution and cost efficiency.

Simple Methodology: Tracking the Hayami Framework

To quantify the exact financial gains of this agribusiness, the Pattimura University research team conducted a specialized case study at the Wayasel MSME using a purposive sampling approach. The researchers monitored a complete, real-world production cycle managed by local female entrepreneurs. Data collection relied on direct field observations, structured interviews, and detailed financial documentation.

To calculate the precise increase in commercial value, the authors utilized the internationally recognized Hayami Method. This mathematical framework converts raw material inputs, processing labor hours, and product retail prices into clear metrics such as value-added ratios and net profit margins. Production timeframes spanned from 1 hour for juice and 2 hours for jam up to 22 days for wine due to required fermentation stages.

Key Agribusiness Findings: Wine and Juice Lead in Profits

The empirical results calculated through the Hayami Method confirm that processing raw tomi-tomi fruit into diversified products yields excellent economic returns compared to selling fresh produce. The study highlighted distinct outcomes for each product line per single kilogram of raw material:

• Tomi-Tomi Wine: Achieved the highest economic value-added at IDR 374,701 per kilogram of raw material, boasting a dominant value-added ratio of 75.06%. This high performance is driven by premium retail pricing, making wine the most profitable long-term product.
• Tomi-Tomi Juice: Generated a strong value-added of IDR 224,235 per kilogram with a high value-added ratio of 62.29%. Juice processing emerged as the most operationally efficient alternative, characterized by low labor costs and a highly streamlined production timeline.
• Tomi-Tomi Jam: Yielded the lowest economic return, producing a moderate value-added of IDR 41,468 per kilogram and a ratio of 34.56%. Jam production suffers from severe volumetric shrinkage during cooking and high auxiliary costs for ingredients like granulated sugar.

On a macro level, a single integrated production cycle across all three goods generated a total revenue of IDR 2,800,000. Against total combined operational costs of IDR 1,166,720, the business secured a net seasonal profit of IDR 1,633,280.

Real-World Impact: Enhancing Rural Development Policies

The findings of this Pattimura University study offer valuable data for policymakers, regional planners, and rural entrepreneurs focused on regional economic development. It proves that local plant preservation can be successfully balanced with profitable commercial enterprise.

According to the academic insights of the research team, local small businesses should focus their limited resources on expanding the market footprint of tomi-tomi wine and juice due to their high financial efficiency. To unlock full market potential, the authors advise local managers to modernize product packaging, improve aesthetic appeal, and integrate modern social media marketing to reach urban consumers outside Maluku.

"Processing tomi-tomi fruit into jam, juice, and wine has proven capable of creating economic added value for local MSMEs," noted corresponding author Johanna M. Luhukay of Pattimura University. "While wine yields the absolute highest value-added, juice products represent a highly promising and efficient alternative due to their rapid production cycle and minimal labor requirements."

Author Profiles

• Miranthy S. Maspaitella is an agribusiness researcher affiliated with Pattimura University, specializing in small enterprise development and local commodity value chains.
• Martha Turukay is a faculty member at Pattimura University whose research focuses on agricultural economics, production systems, and rural income optimization.
• Johanna M. Luhukay is a dedicated agribusiness systems expert at Pattimura University, focusing on sustainable food processing technology and MSME capacity building.

Source Information

Research Article Title: Analysis of Value Added and Income of Processed Tomi-Tomi (Flacourtia Inermis Roxb) Products (A Case Study of the Wayasel MSMEs In Negeri Rutong, Leitimur Selatan District)
Authors: Miranthy S. Maspaitella, Martha Turukay, and Johanna M. Luhukay
University Affiliation: Pattimura University, Ambon, Maluku Province, Indonesia
Publication Year: 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.55927/ijis.v5i6.40
URL https://journalijis.my.id/index.php/ijis/index