Warning: The Negative Impacts of Indonesia's Declining Cajuput Oil Production

The Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) has recorded a declining trend in the production of Indonesian cajuput oil. Production in 2022 fell to 64,133.04 tonnes from a previous 67,520 tonnes, and continued to plummet in 2023, with production reaching only 41,990.93 tonnes.

This decline in cajuput production is a cause for concern, as this non-timber forest commodity remains a vital raw material for the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and household care industries.

Commodity Expert at CNBC Indonesia, Emmanuela Bungasmara Ega Tirta, revealed that this decline is caused by several factors, including weather changes that disrupt both the production process and the quality of the oil. Furthermore, a lack of distillation technology prevents production from reaching its maximum potential.