Pakistan's Palm Oil Imports Hit Record 3.48 Million Tons as Consumption Climbs Despite Tax Pressure

According to , citing Propakistani on Sunday (August 2), data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) showed that palm oil imports reached US$3.785 billion, up from 3.214 million tons worth approximately US$3.4 billion recorded in FY2025. The average import price also increased, rising to around US$1,078 per ton compared with US$1,056 per ton a year earlier. The surge was largely driven by expanding domestic consumption of cooking oil and ghee, fueled by population growth and declining production of local oilseed crops. Sheikh Umer Rehan, Chairman of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA), said Pakistan's annual edible oil consumption...

SPKS Backs Konawe Utara's Sustainable Palm Oil Roadmap, Prioritizes Farmer Registration and ISPO Certification

According to an official statement released by SPKS and received by , SPKS Chairman Sabarudin delivered the commitment during a multi-stakeholder workshop on sustainable palm oil held at the Regional Development Planning Agency (Baperidda) office in Konawe Utara on July 30. The event was officially opened by Regent Dr. H. Ikbar. Sabarudin emphasized that successful implementation of the regional action plan requires close collaboration among local governments, farmers, plantation companies, academics, and civil society organizations. He said that accelerating farmer data collection, polygon-based plantation mapping, issuance of the Smallholder Plantation Registration Certificate (STDB), and wider adoption of the Indonesian Sustainable...

Indonesia's Palm Oil Export Policy Encourages India to Accelerate Edible Oil Self-Sufficiency

According to Fortune India, Indonesia's decision to maintain export restrictions on Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) and Used Cooking Oil (UCO) is aimed at securing sufficient feedstock for the domestic expansion of biodiesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Indonesia is also reportedly considering a centralized export mechanism for strategic commodities, including crude palm oil (CPO), through designated state-owned enterprises. The move signals a stronger government role in managing exports of key agricultural commodities with global market significance. For India, these policy developments present an opportunity to reduce its heavy reliance on imported vegetable oils by strengthening domestic palm oil...

Central Kalimantan Pushes Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Funds to Expand Workers' Social Protection

The initiative was highlighted during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on optimizing both funding schemes for employment social protection, bringing together representatives from the provincial government, the Ministry of Finance, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, and other stakeholders. Representing Provincial Secretary Linae Victoria Aden, Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs Anang Dirjo said the forum marked an important step toward expanding social protection coverage for workers who play a vital role in Central Kalimantan's plantation and forestry industries. He noted that Ministry of Finance Regulations No. 10/2026 and No. 16/2026 provide a clear legal framework allowing regional governments to allocate revenue-sharing funds to...

Palm Oil Becomes Economic Lifeline for Indonesia’s Transmigration Areas, Deputy Minister Says

Speaking about the government's evolving transmigration policy, Viva said the program is no longer focused solely on relocating people to new areas. Instead, its primary objective is to improve the welfare of both transmigrant families and surrounding local communities by fostering sustainable economic development. This new approach has also prompted the Ministry of Transmigration to remain actively involved in resolving land disputes affecting transmigration communities, including overlapping land claims reported in South Kalimantan and several regions in Riau. Although some of these disputes no longer fall directly under the ministry's administrative authority, Viva said the government still considers it responsible...

Palm Oil Faces Growing Challenge of Balancing Production Efficiency and Sustainability

While oil palm generates substantially more oil per hectare than competing oilseed crops, its rapid expansion has also intensified global scrutiny over deforestation, biodiversity loss, and responsible land management. Historical evidence suggests that humans have utilized oil palm for more than 5,000 years, with traces of its early use discovered in present-day Ghana. Yet despite this long history, the industry's modern challenges have become increasingly complex as governments, businesses, and consumers seek a balance between economic development and environmental protection. Global palm oil production has now surpassed 80 million metric tons annually, placing it well ahead of soybean and rapeseed...

BPDP, Directorate General of Estates, and Koompasia Enviro Institute Train 90 Aceh Smallholders in Sustainable Palm Oil Cultivation

The training, organized by PT Koompasia Enviro Institute, forms part of Indonesia's Palm Oil Human Resources Development Program (SDM PKS), supported by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Estates (Ditjenbun) under the Ministry of Agriculture. The initiative aims to equip smallholders with practical knowledge to manage their plantations more efficiently and sustainably. Held in Medan from July 20–25, 2026, the program combined five days of classroom instruction with a full day of field practice at Verdant Bioscience, PT Timbang Deli Indonesia. The curriculum was designed to bridge theory and practical application,...

East Kutai Encourages Palm Oil Companies to Expand Women's Leadership and Inclusive Workplace Practices

The commitment was reaffirmed during a series of Gender Mainstreaming (PUG) socialization programs held at PT Dinamika Prima Artha and PT Kemilau Indah Nusantara in Bengalon District. The initiative follows similar activities previously conducted at other plantation companies in the region. The program is jointly organized by East Kutai's Office for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (DP3A), the Regional Manpower and Transmigration Office (Distrannaker), the East Kalimantan Provincial Manpower Office, and Solidaridad Network Indonesia. Under the theme "Creating Leadership Opportunities for Women in the Palm Oil Plantation Sector and Promoting Decent Work Standards for Female Workers and Workers' Wives," the...

RSPO Highlights China's Expanding Role in Sustainable Palm Oil Market as CSPO Consumption Reaches 550,000 Tonnes

The latest developments were highlighted during the 10th RSPO China Forum, held in Shanghai on July 3, marking more than a decade of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)'s market transformation efforts in China. RSPO Chief Executive Officer Joseph D'Cruz said China has entered a crucial stage in its transition toward a greener economy. As one of the world's largest palm oil consumers, the country's procurement decisions increasingly influence global sustainable supply chains. He said RSPO will continue strengthening engagement with industry stakeholders, integrating sustainability into sourcing and investment decisions, expanding strategic partnerships, and supporting members in responding to...

Riau Authorities Step Up Monitoring After Palm Oil Worker Narrowly Escapes Sumatran Tiger Encounter

The agency said it received a report of a suspected human-tiger interaction that occurred on July 14, 2026, in Mengkapan Village, Sungai Apit District. A field team was immediately deployed to verify the incident and coordinate with local authorities and village officials. According to BBKSDA Riau Head Supartono, the agency moved quickly to establish the chronology of the incident while assessing conditions around the plantation area. Field verification found that the worker, identified as Agus, was transporting fresh fruit bunches (FFB) by motorcycle through a palm oil estate when a Sumatran tiger suddenly leaped onto the rear of his vehicle...

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand Reach Draft Regional Palm Oil Cooperation Agreement

The meeting formed part of the 19th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Working Group on Agriculture and Agribusiness (WGAA) and brought together representatives from the three leading palm oil-producing nations to discuss closer collaboration across the sector. Collectively accounting for around 87% of global palm oil production, the three countries emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing common industry challenges, including productivity improvement, downstream industry development, sustainability, smallholder empowerment, and expanded international market access. The session was chaired by Dato’ Razali bin Mohamad, Chairman of the PIT Palm Oil Cooperation. Indonesia’s delegation was led by Hendratmojo Bagus Hudoro, Acting Director...

BPDP Strengthens Smallholder Capacity as 99 Musi Rawas Farmers Complete Sustainable Palm Oil Training

The training, held from July 14–19, 2026, at Benston Hotel in Palembang, was jointly organized by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the Directorate General of Plantations under the Ministry of Agriculture, and IPB Training. The initiative forms part of Indonesia's broader effort to strengthen human capital and improve productivity in the smallholder palm oil sector. Participants received comprehensive instruction covering plantation regulations and policies, the use of certified high-quality planting materials, nursery management, land preparation, field planting, legume cover crop (LCC) establishment, maintenance of immature and mature palms, weed management, balanced fertilization, as well as pest and...

118 South Sumatra Smallholders Complete BPDP Training to Boost Sustainable Palm Oil Cultivation

The six-day program, held from July 14–19, 2026, at Benston Hotel in Palembang, formed part of Indonesia's Palm Oil Human Resources Development Program, jointly organized by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP), the Directorate General of Plantations under the Ministry of Agriculture, and IPB Training. Conducted across four training batches, the program aimed to enhance farmers' technical capabilities in applying Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve productivity, operational efficiency, and the long-term sustainability of smallholder oil palm plantations. Participants received comprehensive instruction covering the entire cultivation cycle, including plantation regulations and policies, certified seed selection, nursery management, land...

B50 Biodiesel Strengthens Indonesia's Energy Security, Deputy Agriculture Minister Says Palm Oil Is Key to Self-Reliance

Speaking at the Leaders Briefing held at the PLN Auditorium in Jakarta, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono said the B50 mandate reflects the government's commitment to achieving tangible results through its Best Fast Result (BFR) approach, an initiative championed by President Prabowo Subianto to accelerate strategic national programs. According to an official statement received by on Monday (July 20), Sudaryono said Indonesia is seeking to maximize its domestic resources across agriculture and energy to strengthen national resilience. "The President wants strategic programs to be implemented under the Best Fast Result principle. Food and energy self-sufficiency must move beyond policy discussions...

Indonesian Lawmaker Calls for Secure CPO Supply as B50 Biodiesel Program Accelerates Palm Oil Downstream Industry

Member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Commission IV, Endang Setyawati, said the government's decision to implement B50 demonstrates the increasingly strategic role of palm oil, not only as a major export commodity but also as a key feedstock for Indonesia's renewable energy transition. Speaking during a parliamentary hearing with the Minister of Agriculture and the Head of the National Food Agency in Jakarta, Endang expressed full support for the B50 mandate while urging policymakers to carefully manage future CPO availability. "We fully support the implementation of the mandatory B50 program based on crude palm oil. However, the Ministry...

BPDP Training Equips Aceh Singkil Smallholders with Modern Oil Palm Cultivation Skills

The six-day Technical Oil Palm Cultivation Training was conducted under the Palm Oil Human Resources Development Program (SDM PKS), funded by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations (Ditjenbun). The program was organized by PT Koompasia Enviro Institute and held in Medan from July 6–11, 2026. Participants completed 48 hours of classroom and field instruction, covering key aspects of oil palm management, including land suitability assessment, land preparation, certified seed selection, nursery management, maintenance of immature and mature palms, integrated pest and disease control, and balanced fertilization. The training also incorporated...

Indonesia’s B50 Biodiesel Push Requires Careful Execution to Safeguard Palm Oil Industry, Editorial Says

As the world's largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO), Indonesia has transformed its palm oil industry from a commodity exporter into a major supplier of value-added downstream products. Over the past five years, national CPO production has climbed from around 40 million tons in 2020 to approximately 51.66 million tons in 2025, highlighting the sector's rapid expansion. The government's biodiesel blending program has become one of the main drivers of that transformation. Since its introduction at B2.5 in 2008, the mandate has progressively expanded through B40 and officially entered the B50 era on July 1, 2026, significantly increasing domestic...

IPOSS: Domestic Demand to Reshape Indonesia’s Palm Oil Industry as B50 Tightens National CPO Supply

In its Indonesia Palm Oil Industry Outlook Q3 2026, titled "Strengthening the Domestic Market as the Driver of Global Palm Oil", IPOSS projects that the nationwide rollout of the B50 biodiesel mandate, effective from July 1, 2026, will substantially boost palm oil demand from the domestic energy sector. The report forecasts that Indonesia will produce only around 11.1 million metric tons of crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) during the July–September period, representing a decline of approximately 3 million tons compared with the same quarter last year. Lower production is expected to be most pronounced in...

Sinar Mas Agribusiness Strengthens Palm Replanting Program to Boost Smallholder Productivity and Sustainability

Through an integrated assistance program, Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food is helping partner farmers gain access to government replanting funds, improve institutional capacity, meet sustainability standards, and expand opportunities in domestic and international markets. Muhammad Iqbal, Head of Strategic PSR at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food, said the company actively assists smallholders in accessing PSR financing provided by Indonesia's Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP). The initiative supports the government's broader objectives of strengthening national food and energy security while increasing Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) production. Beyond facilitating grant applications, the company also helps farmers strengthen their organizations...

Aceh Singkil Expands Palm Oil Smallholder Training Program as Demand for Capacity Building Grows

The six-day training, held on July 6–11, 2026, at Hotel AIHO Medan, was funded by Indonesia’s Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDP) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Plantations under the Ministry of Agriculture. The program was organized by PT Koompasia Enviro Institute to strengthen farmers' technical skills and promote more productive, efficient, and sustainable palm oil cultivation. A total of 93 participants were divided into three training batches of 31 farmers each. Throughout the program, participants completed 48 hours of intensive classroom instruction, group discussions, simulations, and field practice. Acting Head of the Aceh Singkil Agriculture and...