GAPKI: Palm Oil Exports Decline, Production Stagnant, but Domestic Consumption Rising

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has reported that palm oil exports have experienced a decline over the past five years.

Hadi Sugeng Wahyudiono, Secretary General of GAPKI, stated that the downward trend in palm oil exports is driven by stagnant production and continuously rising domestic consumption.

“This is our export performance; indeed, it increased this year, but over the last five years it has continued to decline,” Hadi said during a press conference in Karet, Jakarta, on Thursday, 13 March 2026.

GAPKI recorded that total exports of palm oil products reached 33,674 thousand tonnes in 2021 with a value of 35,526 million US dollars.

In 2022, the volume of palm oil exports fell to 32,024,000 tonnes with an export value of 39,069 million US dollars.

Export volume rose slightly in 2023 to 32,215,000 tonnes with an export value of 30,320 million US dollars.

Export volume increased again in 2025 to 32,343,000 tonnes with a value of 35,868 million US dollars.

“Domestic consumption continues to increase, so exports are being adjusted, and this year is relatively better — hopefully it can be sustained,” Hadi said.

He noted that palm oil export volumes to a number of countries in 2025 experienced declines.

Nevertheless, exports to several countries increased, including Africa by 991,000 tonnes, China by 644,000 tonnes, Malaysia by 516,000 tonnes, Bangladesh by 503,000 tonnes, and Pakistan by 214,000 tonnes.

“We saw decreases to India, to the European Union, and to the United States. This may also reflect India’s economic conditions and a likely shift in vegetable oil preferences,” Hadi explained.

Whilst export volumes tend to decline, domestic palm oil production remains stagnant.