Protecting Farmers, Government Unable to Impose Export Duty on Whole Coconuts

Trade Minister Budi Santoso, also known as Busan, has admitted that the government is not yet able to collect export duties on whole coconuts from farmers. He made this statement at the Ngobrol Produk Indonesia (NGOPI) UMKM event in Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Wednesday (13/5/2026). At the forum, Dewa, the Executive Director of the Indonesian Coconut Shell Charcoal Briquette Entrepreneurs Association, complained about the export of semi-processed raw materials that are not subject to export duties. His side also demanded that the government fulfil its promise to intensify the downstream processing programme, which could bring more foreign exchange to the country. “Personally, I do not blame the exporters of coconut shell charcoal or semi-processed materials. But will there be an export levy so that Indonesia can obtain more foreign exchange?” said Dewa. According to Busan, the issue complained about by the briquette producers concerns the export of whole coconuts (raw coconuts). He said he has met with associations and exporters of coconut processed products several times. They demand that the government stop the export of whole coconuts. “Because they need the raw materials. Yes, to make the briquettes, right. So there is a moratorium like that,” said Busan. The price of coconuts, which was previously Rp 2,000, now reaches Rp 7,000 to Rp 8,000 per nut. “The farmers are now enjoying the prices,” said Busan. The National Mandate Party (PAN) politician said that his side had directly asked domestic industry players whether they were willing to buy coconuts at the same selling price as to exporters. “Because the post-production value is very high,” said Busan.