Astra Agro's profits rise

Astra Agro's profits rise

JAKARTA (JP): PT Astra Agro Lestari said yesterday it booked a
net profit of Rp 55.7 billion (US$5.06 million) during the first
half of this year, an improvement on the Rp 36.1 billion recorded
over the same period last year.

Astra Agro, a publicly listed plantation firm under the Astra
Group, attributed the increase in profit to a rise in its sales.

Sales rose 52.1 percent to Rp 332.9 billion from Rp 218.9
billion.

"Our increase in net sales is especially supported by the
increase in the sale price of crude palm oil on the international
market," the company said in a statement.

Sales from CPO alone amounted to Rp 264.3 billion, accounting
for 79.4 percent of the company's total sales. The company sold
95 percent of its CPO output on the domestic market. (rid)