This is a direct instruction from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The price must increase next week
Jambi (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan encouraged palm oil plantation entrepreneurs to buy fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from farmers and their partners at prices above Rp2,000 per kilogram.

"Starting from next week, the FFB price must be above Rp2,000 per kilogram. All palm oil plantation entrepreneurs must comply with these agreed rules," Hasan stated after his working visit to Angso Duo Market, here, on Tuesday.

The minister noted that the price regulation was taken into account after a dialogue with palm oil farmers. During the dialogue, Hasan emphasized that within the next week, the price of palm oil FFB must be above Rp 2,000 per kilogram.

"This is a direct instruction from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The price must increase next week," he added.

Hasan spoke of having removed the export tax imposed on palm oil entrepreneurs.

"The increased price of FFB applies to all partner and non-partner companies. If they do not comply, then they can stop selling," Hasan emphasized.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, had earlier stated that China's commitment to purchase one million tons of Indonesian crude palm oil (CPO) products is expected to help increase the price of FFB at the farm level.

Related news: China's purchase of Indonesian CPO will boost FFB price: minister

The commitment will also increase the volume and value of exports of Indonesian CPO products, which are currently being pursued after an export ban, Pandjaitan noted.

For his working visit, the trade minister arrived at the Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Airport in Jambi at 10:00 local time and was greeted directly by Governor of Jambi, Al Haris.



Related news: China to import Indonesia's crude palm oil, agriculture products

Apart from visiting Angso Duo Market, Minister Hasan was also scheduled to visit to review the development of PT Nusantara Green Energy at Simpang Jelutih, Batanghari District, and PT Kurnia Tunggal Cooking Oil Factory in Muaro Jambi.

The trade minister plans to only undertake a day-long visit to Jambi and will return to Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon.


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Translator: Nanang Mairiadi, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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