Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has denied that the B50\nbiodiesel programme is causing the high prices of cooking oil. He\nemphasised that the supply of palm oil raw materials is abundant\ninstead.<\/p>\n
Amid rising prices in the market, the government assures that the\nnational CPO stock far exceeds domestic requirements.<\/p>\n
Amran stated that national CPO production is now approaching 50\nmillion tonnes, up from around 44 million tonnes previously. This\nincrease is also accompanied by a surge in exports from 26 million\ntonnes to 32 million tonnes.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, we export to other countries. Our exports have gone from 26\nmillion tonnes to 32 million tonnes. That means raw materials are\nplentiful. So prices shouldn\u2019t rise,\u201d said the Agriculture Minister when\nmet in Jakarta on Wednesday (15\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He stressed that the B50 programme does not disrupt domestic cooking\noil supplies. The policy utilises export allocations, not domestic\nconsumption.<\/p>\n
According to him, the additional palm oil production even exceeds the\nneeds of the energy programme. This situation keeps domestic supplies\nsecure.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore. Now we have production of around 45 million tonnes, even\napproaching 50 million tonnes. Previously 44 million tonnes. That means\nmore,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
National cooking oil needs are estimated at around 20 million tonnes.\nThis figure is far below total national production, so there is deemed\nno reason for prices to surge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have excess. Why raise the raw material price, then link cooking\noil prices to B50? What\u2019s the connection?\u201d said Amran.<\/p>\n
However, Amran acknowledged other factors triggering the price\nincrease. Packaging and distribution costs are said to also influence\nthe market.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t keep rising, a little is fine, but not too much,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The government assures it will not raise the highest retail price\n(HET) for cooking oil. Options to strengthen the role of state-owned\nenterprises in distribution are also being prepared to maintain price\nstability.<\/p>\n
Amran even described the price rise amid abundant supplies as an\nabnormal condition. He suspects practices disrupting the market.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow rice is abundant, cooking oil is abundant, but prices rise. What\ndoes that mean? There are mafias in the middle,\u201d said Amran.<\/p>\n
The government will continue to monitor distribution and prices in\nthe field to ensure supplies remain secure and prices affordable.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/amran-denies-b50-programme-causes-rise-in-cooking-oil-prices-1776243054", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }