Astra Agro to contain costs, maintain competitiveness amid volatile commodity prices

Publicly listed agribusiness company PT Astra Agro Lestari plans to focus on containing its costs amid fluctuating commodity prices in order to remain competitive and to boost profitability. The company’s revenue increased by 6.5 percent to Rp 9.08 trillion (US$623.78 million) during the first six months of the year compared with the corresponding period last…

The wonders of palm oil

PALM oil is widely used in food products due to its superior health benefits and versatility — from cooking oil to margarine, bakery fats, chocolates, confectioneries, ice cream, dairy substitutes and food supplements. To ensure a healthy lifestyle, one must adopt a balanced diet to keep our body active and healthy. Fat intakes at the…

Indonesia’s B40 biodiesel plan back on track after palm oil prices improve

The government has rekindled plans to escalate Indonesia’s biodiesel program after a five-month hiatus caused by weak palm oil prices and the unfolding global health crisis. Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto recently ordered state-owned fuel giant Pertamina to revive the program a few days after the company produced an experimental batch of new biodiesel and…

Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries tells Kraft Heinz to withdraw misguided negative campaign, ‘palm oil-free’ claims

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — The Secretariat of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) is asking American food company Kraft Heinz Company to withdraw its misguided negative campaign on palm oil and “palm oil-free” claims and discriminatory messages on the company’s products. It said the company, a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable…

Indonesia seeks to conclude trade negotiation with EU next year to bolster recovery

Indonesia hopes to conclude negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union next year to bolster the country’s economic recovery after the pandemic, but policies on palm oil remain a major sticking point. The Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), Indonesia’s largest bilateral trade negotiation to date, was expected to boost trade, investment and…