InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Indonesia has raised its crude palm oil (CPO) reference price for September 2026 to US$1,007.51 per metric ton, resulting in an export duty of US$148 per ton and an export levy of 12.5% for the month.

The higher reference price represents an increase of US$10.99 per ton, or 1.10%, from the August 2026 level of US$996.52 per ton.

According to an official statement from Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade received by InfoSAWIT on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the CPO reference price applies for the period from September 1 to 30, 2026.

Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Tommy Andana, said the increase in the CPO reference price serves as the basis for determining export obligations for palm oil commodities.

“The CPO reference price for September 2026 increased compared with the August 2026 period. Based on the applicable Ministry of Finance regulations, the government imposes a CPO export duty of US$148 per metric ton and an export levy of 12.5% of the September 2026 CPO reference price,” Tommy Andana said.

Based on the calculation, the 12.5% export levy amounts to US$125.9389 per metric ton for September 2026.

Export Duties Based on Current Regulations

The September CPO export duty is determined under Column 8 of Annex C of Ministry of Finance Regulation (PMK) No. 38 of 2024, as amended by PMK No. 68 of 2025.

Meanwhile, the export levy provision refers to Annex A of PMK No. 69 of 2025, as amended by PMK No. 9 of 2026.

The adjustment is significant for CPO exporters because the reference price is directly linked to the fiscal obligations imposed on shipments during the month.

How the September CPO Reference Price Was Calculated

The Ministry of Trade explained that the September 2026 CPO reference price was calculated using average prices recorded from July 20 to August 19, 2026, across three reference markets.

The CPO price on the Indonesia CPO Exchange averaged US$904.75 per metric ton during the assessment period. The corresponding price on the Malaysia CPO Exchange was US$1,110.27 per ton, while the CPO price at the Port of Rotterdam stood at US$1,548.92 per ton.

Under Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 35 of 2025, when the price difference among the three reference sources exceeds US$40, the CPO reference price is calculated using the average of the two prices positioned closest to the median.

Based on this mechanism, Indonesia used the Malaysia CPO Exchange and Indonesia CPO Exchange prices to determine the September reference price.

The resulting CPO reference price was set at US$1,007.51 per metric ton.

Impact on Indonesia’s Palm Oil Exports

The increase in the CPO reference price comes as an important consideration for Indonesian palm oil exporters. While a higher reference price reflects stronger benchmark values, it also affects the amount of export-related fiscal obligations payable during the month.

For September 2026, exporters therefore face a CPO export duty of US$148 per metric ton, alongside a 12.5% export levy, equivalent to US$125.9389 per metric ton based on the government’s reference-price calculation.

The latest policy underscores the importance of monitoring international CPO prices, as movements in benchmark markets can influence Indonesia’s export reference prices and, ultimately, the cost structure of palm oil exports. (T2)