InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Indonesia's palm oil industry posted stronger performance in April 2026, with higher production and exports driving a significant increase in export earnings, according to the latest report from the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI).
Based on the report, crude palm oil (CPO) production reached 4.479 million tonnes in April, up 1.73 percent from 4.403 million tonnes recorded in March.
Meanwhile, palm kernel oil (PKO) production declined slightly from 424,000 tonnes to 416,000 tonnes. Combined CPO and PKO production nevertheless increased to 4.903 million tonnes, representing a 1.70 percent month-on-month gain from 4.821 million tonnes.
For the January–April period, Indonesia's combined CPO and PKO output totaled 20.461 million tonnes, an increase of 13.43 percent compared with 18.039 million tonnes during the same period in 2025.
"As production increased, Indonesia's palm oil exports also recorded strong growth. Total exports reached 2.777 million tonnes in April, representing a 28.09 percent increase compared with 2.168 million tonnes in March," GAPKI Executive Director Mukti Sardjono said in a statement received by InfoSAWIT on Monday (June 29, 2026).
The strongest growth came from CPO exports, which surged 59.38 percent to 153,000 tonnes from 96,000 tonnes a month earlier.
Exports of processed palm oil products climbed 35.52 percent to 2.041 million tonnes, while oleochemicals rose 3.85 percent to 486,000 tonnes. Exports of processed palm kernel oil products also edged up 3.19 percent to 97,000 tonnes.
During the first four months of 2026, Indonesia exported 11.324 million tonnes of palm oil products, up 20.26 percent from 9.416 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
China remained the largest contributor to export growth during April, with shipments increasing by 118,000 tonnes, followed by Africa (97,000 tonnes), the United States (62,000 tonnes), India (53,000 tonnes), the Middle East (49,000 tonnes), Pakistan (48,000 tonnes), Bangladesh (40,000 tonnes), and the European Union (EU-27) (7,000 tonnes).
Exports to Russia declined by 17,000 tonnes, while shipments to Malaysia fell by 9,000 tonnes compared with March.
On a year-to-date basis, export growth was led by China with an additional 889,000 tonnes, followed by Africa (327,000 tonnes), India (306,000 tonnes), the Middle East (192,000 tonnes), the EU-27 (87,000 tonnes), Malaysia (74,000 tonnes), and Bangladesh (60,000 tonnes). Exports to Pakistan, Russia, and the United States declined during the same period.
The increase in shipment volumes translated into higher export earnings. Indonesia's palm oil export value reached US$3.38 billion in April, up 29.50 percent from US$2.61 billion in March.
Cumulative export earnings for January-April 2026 rose to US$13.04 billion, an increase of 20.52 percent compared with US$10.82 billion recorded during the same period last year.
According to GAPKI, the higher export value was driven by both stronger shipment volumes and firmer global palm oil prices. Average CPO CIF Rotterdam prices during January-April 2026 stood at US$1,408 per tonne, compared with US$1,211 per tonne during the corresponding period in 2025. (T2)
