Food Task Force Suspects Cartel Activity Regarding Fresh Fruit Bunch Prices

The Head of the Indonesian National Police Food Task Force, Brigadier General Ade Safri Simanjuntak, suspects the existence of cartel activity related to the recent decline in Fresh Fruit Bunch (TBS) prices.

“We suspect indications of a cartel or malicious conspiracy, a silent agreement made to ensure TBS prices drop even when global CPO prices are not falling or are tending to rise,” said Ade during a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta on Monday.

Ade stated that the Police Food Task Force will collaborate with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPDU) to conduct an investigation into the suspected cartel regarding the decline in TBS prices.

“We will not hesitate to enforce the law strictly within the applicable legal corridors. We will engage the KPPU at both the central and regional levels, particularly alongside the Special Criminal Investigation Directors. We hope that all government programmes aimed at improving public welfare and enhancing our international commodities can receive support from all parties,” he explained.

Furthermore, Ade stated that the Police Food Task Force fundamentally supports government programmes to prevent all forms of leakage in state revenue or practices that harm national wealth.

“This includes various modes of practice such as under-invoicing, under-pricing, and so on. One such instance is the phenomenon of purchasing TBS at unreasonable prices while global CPO prices are rising,” he concluded.

The government is tightening supervision of palm oil Fresh Fruit Bunch (TBS) prices to ensure farmers receive fair prices amidst changing market conditions and exchange rates.