infoSAWIT News

InfoSAWIT, PALU – Allegations of illegal palm oil investment in Central Sulawesi (Sulteng) have received serious attention from the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD). The Deputy Chairman I of DPRD Sulteng, Aristan, emphasized that they will investigate the existence of companies operating without permits, following reports from the United People's Coalition during a demonstration in front of the Sulteng DPRD Office.

InfoSAWIT, PALU – The operation of dozens of palm oil companies without Business Use Rights (HGU) in Central Sulawesi has sparked protests from the community. In a demonstration held in front of the Central Sulawesi Governor's Office on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the United People's Coalition highlighted illegal practices that harm the community and the environment.

InfoSAWIT, BELITUNG TIMUR – PT Sahabat Mewah dan Makmur (SMM), a subsidiary of PT Austindo Nusantara Jaya Tbk. (ANJ), collaborated with the Dendang Police and the Nyuruk Village Government to support national food security through a corn planting program. This activity was carried out on January 21, 2024, on a one-hectare plot of land owned by the Nyuruk Village Government, planting 15 kg of hybrid corn seeds.

InfoSAWIT, PEKANBARU – Efforts to strengthen national food security continue to be intensified in various regions, including Riau Province. The Indonesian Youth Farmers (PTI) of Riau, together with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) of the Republic of Indonesia, Sudaryono, Riau Police Chief Irjen Pol Muhammad Iqbal, and Acting Governor of Riau Rahman Hadi, held a ceremonial planting of corn and chili in Okura Village, Pekanbaru, on Monday, February 3, 2025.

InfoSAWIT, LAMPUNG TENGAH – Students from the Community Service Program (KKN) of Universitas Lampung (Unila) for the first period of 2025 held a socialization and training event on the utilization of palm oil waste as natural pesticides based on plant materials and local microorganisms. This event took place in Sumbersari Village, Padang Ratu District, Central Lampung, on Saturday, January 25, 2025.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The price of crude palm oil (CPO) at PT. Kharisma Pemasaran Bersama Nusantara (KPBN) Inacom was set at IDR 14,100/kg on Monday (February 3, 2025), marking an increase of 1.52% or approximately IDR 211/kg compared to the CPO price on Friday (January 31, 2025), which was IDR 13,889/kg.

InfoSAWIT, BRUSSELS – The European Union (EU) will revise regulations related to palm oil-based biodiesel after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that part of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) discriminates against Indonesian palm oil exports. This decision was announced on January 10, 2025, and is considered a significant victory for Indonesia in its long-standing trade dispute with the EU regarding biofuel trade restrictions.

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – In an effort to enhance the welfare of palm oil farmers, the Deputy Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Abdul Kharis Almasyhari, has called for the strengthening and acceleration of the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program (PSR). This was conveyed during a webinar titled “The Fate of the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation: PSN in Limbo,” organized by the Center for Indonesian Reform (CIR) in collaboration with ASASI on Saturday.

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%.