Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi, Jakarta – The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) reported a monthly decline in Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) production, domestic consumption, and exports in March 2026.

In a written statement issued on Monday, May 25, 2026, Gapki said CPO production in March reached 4.403 million tons, down 12.22 percent from 5.015 million tons recorded in February.

The association also reported a decline in processed palm kernel oil (PKO) production. PKO output fell 12.35 percent month-on-month to 418,000 tons in March 2026.

Total domestic consumption of palm oil products also weakened, declining 8.25 percent to 2.115 million tons in March from 2.305 million tons in February.

According to Gapki, the sharpest decline came from food consumption, which dropped 9.03 percent to 897,000 tons in March.

Biodiesel consumption also fell by 7.71 percent to 1.056 million tons, while oleochemical consumption decreased 7.43 percent to 162,000 tons.

Despite the monthly slowdown, Gapki said cumulative domestic consumption through March 2026 still posted annual growth of 7.47 percent, reaching 6.524 million tons.

Exports of palm oil products also saw a significant decline in March. Gapki recorded a 34.25 percent drop in total exports to 2.168 million tons, compared with 3.297 million tons in February 2026.

Exports of crude palm oil products fell the most sharply, plunging 75.61 percent in March. Total CPO export volume stood at 96,000 tons, down from 295,000 tons in February.

Processed PKO exports also declined by 33.57 percent to 1.506 million tons in March.

Oleochemicals were the only palm oil derivative products to post export growth. Oleochemical exports rose 1.42 percent month-on-month to 468,000 tons. On an annual basis, oleochemical exports increased 11.91 percent to 8.546 million tons.

Based on destination markets, Gapki reported export declines to nine major regions and countries.

Exports to China fell by 314,000 tons in March, while shipments to India declined by 291,000 tons. Exports to Pakistan dropped by 113,000 tons, followed by Bangladesh with a decline of 90,000 tons.

Exports to Africa decreased by 81,000 tons, while shipments to Middle Eastern countries fell by 77,000 tons. Exports to Malaysia dropped by 71,000 tons, the United States by 41,000 tons, and the European Union by 25,000 tons.

Russia was the only major market to record growth, with exports increasing by 24,000 tons.

The total export value of palm oil products in March declined 29.27 percent from the previous month to US$2.61 billion.

However, Gapki noted that export value during the January-March 2026 period was still 10.40 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

According to the association, the annual increase in export value was supported by higher export volumes and a rise in the average CIF Rotterdam price, which reached US$1,356 per ton during the first quarter of 2026.

Gapki also reported that Indonesia's palm oil stockpile increased in March. Starting stocks stood at 2.026 million tons, while production reached 4.821 million tons, domestic consumption totaled 2.115 million tons, and exports reached 2.168 million tons.

As a result, ending stocks in March rose to 2.568 million tons on a monthly basis.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2105673/indonesias-cpo-exports-plunge-across-nine-major-market