Claims Of Abundant Cooking Oil Stock, Trade Minister Lutfi: Not Wet Anymore, But Muddy

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Trade conveyed that the supply of cooking oil in the market should be abundant. So many, claimed that the stock of cooking oil on the market was muddy. This answers the complaints of people who have difficulty getting cooking oil.

Minister of Trade (Mendag) Muhammad Lutfi said the stock was the result of a domestic market obligation (DMO) policy. In fact, said Lutfi, the distribution of cooking oil has been running in 356 districts/cities in Indonesia.

"If we look at the numbers on the field, it shouldn't be wet anymore, but muddy," Lutfi said in a virtual press conference, Wednesday, March 9.

Lutfi said that from February 14 to March 8 2022, the total exports of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives reached 2,771,294 tons and there were 126 export issuances from 56 exporters.

Meanwhile, the total DMO collected was 573,890 tons. Meanwhile, the total DMO distributed was 415,787 tons. Distribution in the form of bulk cooking oil and packaged cooking oil to the market.

"The distribution of DMO has exceeded the estimated consumption needs for one month which reached 327,321 tons," he said.

According to data held by Lutfi, West Java is the province with the largest distribution of cooking oil, which is 73.6 million liters. Then followed by East Java about 71.4 million liters. Then, DKI Jakarta 57.8 million liters. North Sumatra 49.9 million liters and Central Java 42.9 million liters.

By district/city, North Jakarta is the largest with a stock of 33.4 million liters. Then, followed by Bekasi City with 30 million liters, Medan with 20 million liters, Surabaya with 19 liters and West Java with 14.9 million liters.

"Indeed, the supply is abundant," he said.