Indonesian Palm Oil Exports Fall by 35.08%

Indonesia’s palm oil exports fell sharply by 35.08% year-on-year in March, pointing to a notable slowdown despite the country remaining the world’s largest palm oil supplier.

Statistics agency BPS said palm oil products continued to be a major contributor to Indonesia’s trade balance, helping the country maintain a long-running trade surplus. However, exports of crude palm oil and its derivatives weakened significantly in March.

According to BPS official Ateng Hartono, exports of crude palm oil and related products reached US$1.42 billion, with a volume of 1.31 million tonnes in March 2026. This represented a 35.08% year-on-year decline in value.

Despite the monthly fall, quarterly shipments still increased slightly. Export value from January to March 2026 reached US$6.11 billion, up 3.56% from the same period a year earlier.

Hartono noted that international palm oil prices had risen since the start of the year, moving from US$980.12 per metric tonne in December 2025 to US$1,149.33 in April.

Industry participants have also pointed to higher transport and logistics costs, while Indonesia’s planned move from B40 to B50 biodiesel could direct more palm oil toward domestic consumption.

Source: Jakarta Globe

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