Mentan seeks recovery in palm fruit prices, 300 firms reviewed

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman has called for fresh palm fruit bunch prices to return to levels seen before the decline in recent days. The government will also inspect about 300 of 1,900 palm oil companies that have not adjusted the prices they pay farmers. The decision was made at a meeting in Jakarta on Monday (8/6), attended by palm oil associations, farmer representatives, the National Police Food Task Force, and the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate from 25 provinces. According to Amran, the rupiah's roughly 10% weakening against the U.S. dollar should have supported higher fresh fruit bunch prices, not lower ones. He said prices in the regions must again refer to local government rules under governor regulations. Amran added that about 70% of fresh fruit bunch prices have begun to recover, and the government is targeting full recovery soon.