Agriculture Minister: Indonesia to Halt Diesel Imports from 1 July, Implementing B50

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that Indonesia will halt diesel imports starting 1 July 2026, alongside the implementation of 50% biodiesel (B50) based on palm oil.

“We will no longer import diesel. On 1 July 2026, we stop, B50 comes in,” said Amran at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) in Surabaya on Sunday, 19 April 2026, as quoted from Antara.

This step, according to Amran Sulaiman, is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen national energy independence by utilising the palm oil commodity as an alternative fuel.

The minister explained that palm oil can not only be processed into diesel but also into petrol and ethanol, whose development is currently being accelerated. “This is Indonesia’s future energy, because its source is from palm oil. Palm oil becomes diesel, palm oil also becomes petrol,” he said.

In addition, the government is preparing cooperation with PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV (PTPN IV) for the development of palm-based petrol on a small scale before expanding it into a large industry.

“If this succeeds, we open it on a large scale. So Indonesia’s future is bright,” said Amran Sulaiman.

During the visit, Amran Sulaiman also inspected several technological innovations from ITS, one of which is an electric tractor deemed more economical and efficient. The Ministry of Agriculture immediately ordered 10 units for testing because it does not use diesel fuel, but electric energy.

“This tractor costs half of the usual one. Then, it’s effective, doesn’t use diesel but uses electricity. So it’s very economical,” he said.

Amran Sulaiman was present in Surabaya to deliver the keynote speech at the 133rd graduation ceremony for doctoral, master’s, and professional engineer programmes at Grha ITS.