Indonesia Bans Refined Palm Oil Exports, Now Includes CPO, UCO

Indonesia, the world’s largest edible oil producer and exporter announced it will ban export of refined palm oil starting April 28 as President Joko Widodo seeks to guarantee local supply and check on the surging palm oil prices in the country, affected by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Earlier reports said the plan was to ban the value-added products, processed, and packaged refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil and exclude crude palm oil.  However, the latest report from Bloomberg on April 27 says the ban has been expanded the cover crude palm oil (CPO) and other products.  

Citing Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto from a briefing on Wednesday, the ban now specifically includes crude palm oil, RBD palm oil, used cooking oil and palm oil mill effluent.  The policy will start on April 28 and last until domestic cooking oil prices ease to level below 14,000 rupiah per liter ($1/liter), the report said.