Indonesia’s Palm Oil Exports Surge 26.4 Percent to USD 4.69 Billion

Business

Indonesia’s Palm Oil Exports Surge 26.4 Percent to USD 4.69 Billion

01 Apr 2026 22:29 WIB
Voice of Indonesia

Key Points

Indonesia controls over 60 percent of the global palm oil market, underscoring its strategic role in international trade.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said that processing crude palm oil (CPO) into value-added products such as margarine and cosmetics will boost exports and reinforce Indonesia’s position in the global market.

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported that the export value of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives rose 26.4 percent in January–February 2026 compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 4.69 billion.

Export volume also increased significantly, from 3.33 million tons to 4.54 million tons.

“The export performance of leading commodities during January–February 2026 included a significant increase in the export value of CPO and its derivatives, a cumulative 26.40 percent rise,” said Ateng Hartono, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, in an Official Statistics News Release in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, as quoted on the Ministry of Agriculture’s official website.

The rise in palm oil exports contributed to Indonesia’s overall non-oil and gas export performance, which grew 2.82 percent year-on-year to USD 42.35 billion. Ateng noted that the manufacturing sector was the primary driver of growth, contributing 5.36 percent, with palm oil-based commodities playing a major role.

In addition to CPO and its derivatives, manufacturing exports were boosted by nickel, motor vehicles, semiconductors, electronic components, and agricultural-based organic chemicals.

By sector, the manufacturing industry dominated non-oil and gas exports in February 2026, amounting to USD 18.55 billion. The mining sector contributed USD 2.15 billion, while agriculture, fisheries, and forestry contributed USD 0.39 billion.

This performance reaffirmed CPO's and its derivatives' leading position in supporting Indonesia’s export growth at the start of 2026.

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized that the increase in palm oil exports reflects the government’s efforts to strengthen downstream processing to increase added value.

“If we process CPO into margarine, cosmetics, and other derivative products, the world will depend heavily on Indonesia. We control more than 60 percent of the global market. This shows Indonesia’s crucial role, and we must continue to encourage downstream processing,” Minister Amran said. ***