infoSAWIT News

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — Despite having developed over hundreds of years, the palm oil plantation industry in Indonesia is still marked by exploitative practices and challenges in protecting workers. This was emphasized by the Transnational Palm Oil Labour Solidarity Network (TPOLS) in their year-end report, which highlighted the conditions of plantation workers and their impact on surrounding communities.

InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR – The benchmark crude palm oil contract for March 2025 delivery on the Malaysian Derivatives Exchange recorded an increase this weekend. The contract price rose by RM 44 per ton, or approximately 0.97%, reaching RM 4,587 per metric ton during the midday break on Friday (December 27).

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Secretary-General of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KPBI), Damar Panca, delivered sharp criticisms regarding the practices in the palm oil industry in Indonesia. He highlighted serious issues involving worker welfare, environmental damage, and policies that are deemed inadequate in protecting the basic rights of workers and surrounding communities.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Certification programs such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO), and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) in the palm oil plantation sector have been touted as solutions to ensure companies comply with sustainability standards. However, the reality on the ground reveals new issues that expose the ineffectiveness of these systems.

InfoSAWIT, MEDAN – Referring to the results from the Fresh Fruit Bunch (TBS) price determination team in North Sumatra (Sumut) for the period of December 25, 2024 – January 5, 2025, the price for palm oil TBS aged 10 – 20 years has decreased by Rp 135.33/kg to Rp 3,596.99/Kg.

InfoSAWIT, TANAH LAUT – The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Directorate General of Plantations, in collaboration with the South Kalimantan Provincial Government and Tanah Laut Regency, inaugurated a gogo rice intercropping program in palm oil plantations on Thursday (December 26). This program is expected to be a significant milestone in supporting national food self-sufficiency efforts.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Palm Oil Monitoring Association (PPS) has submitted a judicial review against Articles 12A, 17A, and 110B of Law No. 18 of 2013 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction (UU P3H), which has been amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation (UU Cipta Kerja). They argue that these articles contradict the 1945 Constitution, thereby harming vulnerable communities and smallholder palm oil farmers constitutionally.

InfoSAWIT, BENGKULU SELATAN – The Agriculture Office of Bengkulu Selatan Regency aims to increase the data collection of smallholder palm oil plantations by 2025, targeting an achievement of over 50 percent. This target is higher than the 2024 achievement, which only reached 50 percent of the total 8,600 plots targeted.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The oil palm plant has become one of the main pillars of Indonesia's economy, playing a crucial role in supporting national food and energy security. This was stated by PalmCo's CEO, Jatmiko K. Santosa, during a discussion titled "Unveiling Palm Oil: Indonesia's Green Gold," organized by PTPN IV PalmCo in collaboration with Gadjah Mada Agro Expo, Faculty of Agricultural Technology UGM.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The latest report from the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (GAPKI) reveals that palm oil exports in October 2024 recorded a significant increase to several destination countries. This increase was observed in India, the European Union (EU), Africa, Pakistan, the Middle East, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. However, exports to China and the United States (USA) experienced a decline.

InfoSAWIT, JAMBI - The Head of Tri Mulya Jaya Village, Moch Nuryasin, has refused to sign 155 documents belonging to palm oil farmers, which are part of the requirements for Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. This refusal is allegedly linked to demands for illegal levies that do not meet expectations. As a result, hundreds of farmers in the village are at risk of failing to obtain the RSPO certificate, which is crucial for the sustainability of their businesses.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO) production saw a significant increase in October 2024. Data from the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (GAPKI) revealed that total production reached 4.843 million tons, marking a 9.69% rise compared to September 2024, which recorded 4.415 million tons. However, year-on-year (YoY) production until October 2024 stood at 43.780 million tons, representing a 4.56% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded 45.776 million tons.

InfoSAWIT, JAMBI – According to the results from the Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) pricing team in Jambi Province, the price of Fresh Palm Fruit (FFB) in Jambi for the period of December 27, 2024 – January 2, 2025, has been agreed upon, showing a decrease of IDR 172.68/kg to IDR 3,555.71/kg for palm oil aged 10-20 years.

InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU – According to the results from the Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) pricing team in Riau Province, based on the Decree on the Pricing of Fresh Palm Fruit (FFB) No. 48 for the period of December 25, 2024 – January 7, 2025, the price for 9-year-old palm oil in Riau has decreased by IDR 184.53/kg to IDR 3,614.47/kg.

InfoSAWIT, BULUNGAN – A palm oil plantation manager in Bulungan Regency, identified as Sa (40), was found dead, suspected to have committed suicide in the palm oil plantation area of Sajau Hilir Village, Tanjung Palas Timur District, on Saturday (December 21). The victim is believed to have taken his own life due to frustration stemming from a long-term illness that required significant financial resources for treatment.

InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU - Referring to the results from the Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) pricing team for Plasma Palm Oil in Riau Province, based on the Price Determination Letter No. 48 for the period of December 25, 2024 – January 7, 2025, the price for 9-year-old palm oil has decreased by IDR 120.05/kg to IDR 3,720.58/kg.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The price of crude palm oil (CPO) at PT. Kharisma Pemasaran Bersama Nusantara (KPBN) Inacom was set at IDR 14,858/kg on Tuesday (December 24, 2024), marking a 0.9% increase or an increase of approximately IDR 132/kg compared to the CPO price on Monday (December 23, 2024), which was IDR 14,726/kg.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Indonesia's trade balance continues to show a positive trend, recording a surplus of US$ 4.42 billion in November 2024. This achievement marks the 55th consecutive monthly surplus since May 2020. The surplus consists of a non-oil and gas surplus of US$ 5.67 billion and a deficit in the oil and gas sector of US$ 1.25 billion.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The Chairman of the Putra Tani Jaya Farmers Group from Jambi, Sis Sumanto, has witnessed how the PSR program and Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food have assisted his farmers' group, starting from the socialization process to the community and gathering all the necessary BPDPKS document requirements. These initiatives have played a crucial role in streamlining the process.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) has officially reopened the Palm Oil Research Grant Program (GRS) 2025, an initiative aimed at funding research and development in the palm oil sector. This program seeks to enhance productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and create innovative products and new markets with added value for the palm oil industry, government, farmers, and communities.