RI cocoa output estimated to fall to 200,000 tons
RI cocoa output estimated to fall to 200,000 tons
HAMBURG (Reuter): Indonesia's 1995 cocoa crop should be just
below 200,000 tons after 271,127 tons in 1994, Minister of
Agriculture Sjarifudin Baharsjah said.
Exports in 1995 should be 200,000-220,000 tons after 231,639
tons previously, he told Reuters during a visit. He did not give
campaign months.
The minister said the effect of drought had curtailed volumes
which analysts say contributes to global market tightness.
Indonesia is the world's fourth largest cocoa producer.
Asked about the impact of the pod borer pest which is
prevalent in a number of regions, he said, "We are watching the
disease very closely and we are working together with farmers to
control it."
"It has not yet affected the main producing areas and we're
taking steps to stop it from spreading."
Talking about coffee, he said that Indonesia's coffee crop in
1995 was seen in a 420,000-430,000 ton range after 446,463 tons
in 1994 and 438,868 tons in 1993.
Exports were expected in a 270,000-280,000 ton range.
Exports last year were 289,303 tons and 1993's 349,000 tons,
he said. He did not give crop year details.
He said droughts and excessive rains caused harvest shortfalls
and the weather patterns presented long-term problems for
Indonesia's crop which is mostly robustas.
Referring to palm oil, Sjarifudin said Indonesia's ability to
supply global palm oil markets would be maintained and expanded
although population growth meant domestic markets absorbed
increasing volumes.
It would produce well above four million tons this year and as
soon as the four million ton mark was reached, more would be
freed for exports, he added.
He said this compared with exactly four million tons output
last year but declined to give a date when the level would be
reached.
Indonesian government officials in June gave a 4.56 million
ton forecast for 1995 after 4.0 million in 1994 and commodities
regulator BULOG in that month put expected 1995 exports at two
million tons after 1.66 million in 1994.
The minister said world market prices, although not as high as
several months ago, were still very good and offered good
production prospects.
Neighboring Malaysia produced closer to six million tons but
had a low population and was able to export far more. He put
Indonesia's population close to 200 million and Malaysia's at 18
million.
The minister was visiting Hamburg to explain plans to
restructure state-run plantations (PTPs) to European customers.
PTPs covered 45 percent of palm oil production. Roughly 65
percent of all palm oil went into the domestic market, he said.
A rubber trader at the meeting said rubber statistics showed
the Indonesian area had not increased this year as a result of
more efforts going into palm oil expansions while Malaysia and
Thailand on the other hand had expanded rubber acreage.
Sjarifudin confirmed palm oil expansion was a key strategic
goal but smallholder assistance programs aimed to support rubber
too.