RI to import 12,000 tons of sugar

RI to import 12,000 tons of sugar

Jakarta: Indonesia has awarded Cargill commodities trading company of Hong Kong a contract to deliver 12,000 tons of sugar to meet the country's sugar shortage, news reports said on Friday.

PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN), the state-owned plantations company, chose Cargill from among 10 tenders for the sugar supply contract which was initially to be for 51,000 tons.

After all ten sugar suppliers submitted bids of more than US$240 per metric ton, PTPN decided to make the purchase in phases with the first 12,000 tons to be delivered by next month, said the state-run Antara news agency.

"Hopefully, the sugar will arrive before April 10," said PTPN spokesman Adig Suwandi.

Cargill won the sugar bid by submitting the lowest offer at 241 dollars per ton of sugar, although the company reportedly agreed to lower the price to $239.50 after negotiations with PTPN.

Indonesia, which was the world's leading sugar exporter five decades ago, is currently facing sugar shortages in Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.--DPA