InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) convened its 12th Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta to tackle global challenges confronting the palm oil industry. The meeting focused on issues such as market volatility, crude palm oil (CPO) price fluctuations, sustainability demands from consumer countries, and trade discrimination disguised as environmental policies.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, underscored the importance of synergy among palm oil-producing nations. “Indonesia values the long-term partnership among producing countries. We must devise strategies to ensure stable and profitable palm oil prices while maintaining market transparency,” he said in an official statement on Saturday (November 30, 2024).
Airlangga highlighted discriminatory policies targeting palm oil, such as the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) and RefuelEU Aviation Rules, which create trade barriers. Nevertheless, Indonesia remains committed to advancing its palm oil sector, aligning with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of food security, energy independence, and industrial downstreaming.
One notable initiative is the B40 biodiesel program, projected to reduce over 40 million tons of carbon emissions. This program has received recognition from Malaysia, Indonesia’s strategic partner in CPOPC.
The meeting also approved Nigeria and Congo as Observer Countries, with plans for full accession within two years. This adds to the list of current observers, including Colombia, Ghana, and Papua New Guinea, whose observer status has been extended.
“CPOPC must become a hub for global vegetable oil market coordination and trends. Expanding membership underscores the importance of multilateral cooperation to strengthen the global position of the palm oil industry,” Airlangga added.
As a next step, Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to continue their Joint Task Force to oversee the implementation of the EUDR, which the European Union has extended by one year. At the conclusion of the event, Indonesia officially handed over the CPOPC Chairmanship to Malaysia for the 2024–2025 term.
The meeting was attended by Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani; Honduras’ Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Lid Roy Lazo Rodríguez; and observer representatives from Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and Congo. Key Indonesian officials, including Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination Dida Gardera, CPOPC Secretary-General Rizal Affandi Lukman, and BPDPKS CEO Eddy Abdurrachman, were also present.
With measured strategies and strong collaboration, CPOPC remains optimistic about addressing industry challenges, ensuring smallholder welfare, and safeguarding the sustainability and competitiveness of palm oil in global markets. (T2)
