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)