Trade Minister Budi Reveals the Culprit Behind the Rise in Average Cooking Oil Price to Rp 19,000 per Litre

Jakarta – Trade Minister Budi Santoso has openly discussed the reasons behind the trend of rising average cooking oil prices, which previously reached Rp 19,000 per litre. He explained that this is partly due to the influence of increasing crude palm oil (CPO) prices and distribution costs. “If we look at it, yes, it’s like that because premium oil and outside Minyakita are also included. It must adjust to the current rising CPO price. Then there are distribution costs and so on,” Budi said in Jakarta on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. Previously, at the 2026 Regional Inflation Control Coordination Meeting held by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the accumulated average price of all qualities of cooking oil—bulk, premium, and Minyakita—reached Rp 19,648 per litre in the fourth week of April 2026. This data shows a general 1.50% increase in cooking oil prices compared to March 2026. BPS also noted that 62.22% of regions in Indonesia experienced a rise in the Cooking Oil Price Development Index (IPH) up to the fourth week of April 2026. The highest price increase for cooking oil was recorded in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, reaching Rp 60,000 per litre, while the lowest was in Puncak Jaya Regency at Rp 42,500 per litre. Budi stated that the trend of rising average cooking oil prices follows developments in raw material prices and distribution costs. He said that cooking oil prices could decrease again if raw material and distribution conditions return to normal. “Hopefully, if everything returns to normal, the (average cooking oil) price will also decrease. Because the CPO price is indeed rising,” Budi remarked. Based on data from the Ministry of Trade’s Market and Essential Needs Monitoring System (SP2KP) as of 12 May 2026, the national average price for packaged premium palm cooking oil was recorded at Rp 22,084 per litre, while bulk palm cooking oil was Rp 19,560 per litre. Meanwhile, the national average price for Minyakita was Rp 15,865 per litre, or a 0.31% decrease compared to the previous day. Budi said the government will continue to monitor cooking oil price developments, including the distribution of Minyakita as a price stabilisation instrument.