infoSAWIT News

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Forum for the Development of Batik Villages (FPKBL) in collaboration with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has introduced the latest innovation in the batik industry by launching palm oil-based batik wax. This initiative is part of a strategic partnership established since 2022, aimed at creating sustainable solutions for Indonesia's traditional batik industry.

InfoSAWIT, SAMARINDA – According to the results from the Fresh Fruit Bunch (TBS) price determination team for East Kalimantan (Kaltim) for the calculation of palm oil prices in Period II-January 2025 (January 16-31, 2025), the price for palm oil older than 10 years has decreased by Rp 117.30/kg to Rp 3,343.00/kg.

InfoSAWIT, NORTH SUMATRA – The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) is accelerating efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency by optimizing intercropping programs, particularly focusing on gogo rice in plantation areas. This initiative targets the Rejuvenation of People's Palm Oil (PSR) and coconut lands, aiming to boost national rice production.

InfoSAWIT, SUARAKARTA - The conversion of forests into palm oil plantations continues to spark debate in Indonesia. As one of the countries with the largest tropical forests after Brazil, Indonesia faces a dilemma between economic and ecological interests. Forestry expert from Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta (UMS), Aziz Akbar Mukasyaf, argues that this policy contradicts Indonesia's environmental commitments.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - The People's Alliance for Climate Justice (ARUKI) criticized the statement made by Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, questioning Indonesia's commitment to the Paris Agreement as a sign of the government's indifference to climate justice and neglect of the suffering of those affected by the climate crisis. Bahlil's remarks were made in the context of discussions on global commitments to climate change, where he referred to the United States as the "driving force" behind the Paris Agreement and questioned why Indonesia should continue its commitments.

InfoSAWIT, KARACHI - At the 7th Pakistan Edible Oils Conference (PEOC) held on January 10-11 in Karachi, global market analysts projected that the demand for vegetable oils will continue to increase. The role of palm oil, which has previously served as a balancing supply, is now under scrutiny as its prices soar, surpassing those of soybean oil.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Reference Price (HR) for crude palm oil (CPO) for the period of February 2025 has been set at $955.44 per metric ton (MT). This value represents a decrease of $104.10 or 9.82% compared to the January 2025 CPO HR, which was recorded at $1,059.54 per MT.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI) states that a significant portion of its financing portfolio is currently allocated to the palm oil industry. BRI's President Director, Sunarso, emphasized that financing in the palm oil sector falls under the category of sustainable financing.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - Indonesia's palm oil industry faces a significant challenge: low productivity. Despite advancements in agronomy, plant breeding, and processing techniques that have increased the potential yield of crude palm oil (CPO) from 19% to 27%, the reality on the ground is far from expectations. The current potential production of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) reaches 8 tons of palm oil per hectare per year, yet actual productivity is only 2.8 tons per hectare per year. This means that productivity realization is only 35% of its potential, which is concerning.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto recently made a bold statement: "We should not be afraid of the deforestation issue." This remark was made during the National Development Planning Meeting (Musrenbangnas) for the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, ahead of 2025. The President even emphasized the need for increased palm oil planting to support the national economy. However, this statement has sparked both support and opposition, especially amid global concerns about deforestation.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The price of crude palm oil (CPO) at PT Kharisma Pemasaran Bersama Nusantara (KPBN) Inacom was set at IDR 13,750/kg on January 30, 2025, marking a 0.53% increase or approximately IDR 145/kg compared to the CPO price of IDR 13,605/kg on January 24, 2025.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – In a working meeting with Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives on January 30, 2025, the ATR/BPN Ministry announced a new policy regarding HGU renewals, increasing the palm oil plasma allocation from 20% to 30%.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, reported on the achievements of the first 100 days of the government in restructuring the system for granting, extending, and renewing Business Use Rights (HGU). This policy is designed to ensure compliance with Law No. 5 of 1960 while prioritizing principles of justice, equity, and economic sustainability.

InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR – Indonesian Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, accompanied President Prabowo Subianto in a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on January 27. The meeting resulted in an agreement to strengthen strategic cooperation across various sectors, with a primary focus on the palm oil industry.

InfoSAWIT, KARACHI – The 7th Pakistan Edible Oils Conference (PEOC), held on January 10-11 in Karachi, delivered a crucial message to the global palm oil industry, particularly to Indonesia and Malaysia. The conference highlighted the soaring prices of palm oil, which have reached premium levels, necessitating policies that can maintain a balance between demand and supply.

InfoSAWIT, BOGOR – The Smallholder Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) is intensifying efforts to improve the productivity and sustainability of smallholder palm oil plantations. Through a series of training programs and collaborations with key stakeholders, SPKS aims to address the challenges faced by independent palm oil farmers, particularly in obtaining sustainable certifications and improving yields.

InfoSAWIT, BOGOR – Brigadier General Ratno Kuncoro, Director of the Economic Intelligence Agency (Baintelkam) of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), has affirmed his commitment to supporting independent palm oil farmers in overcoming various challenges, particularly those related to legal issues and productivity improvement. This aligns with President Prabowo's directive to strengthen food, energy, and economic independence for the Indonesian people.

InfoSAWIT, BOGOR – The palm oil industry in Indonesia is undergoing a transformative phase, with a renewed focus on the Rejuvenation of Smallholder Palm Oil (PSR) program. This initiative, aimed at modernizing smallholder plantations, has gained momentum through collaborative efforts between the government, industry stakeholders, and farmer organizations like the Smallholder Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS). A recent discussion in Bogor in January 2025 highlighted the progress and challenges of the PSR program, particularly in ensuring legal compliance and boosting productivity.

InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, January 27, 2025. The meeting resulted in an agreement to strengthen strategic cooperation in various sectors, including economy, energy, and defense.

InfoSAWIT, PALANGKA RAYA – Amid the debate over the environmental impact of palm oil plantations, local communities in Kalimantan have introduced an inspiring innovation. The empty fruit bunch waste from palm oil (TKKS), which was often discarded or burned, is now transformed into a growing medium for producing palm oil mushrooms, a highly nutritious food source.