Academic Concerning The Trade Minister Says Food Prices Rise Due To The Russo-Ukrainian War: Palm Oil Is Grown And Processed In Indonesia

JAKARTA - The Chancellor of the University of Ibnu Chaldun Musni Umar assessed that Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil (CPO), but is unable to deal with the supply of cooking oil.

This was conveyed by Musni Umar in response to the Minister of Trade (Mendag) Muhammad Lutfi who revealed that the prices of a number of basic commodities had increased due to Russia's war with Ukraine. Musni questioned the veracity of the statement by the Minister of Trade.

"The truth of the narrative is questionable. Palm oil is grown in Indonesia, cooking oil is processed in Indonesia," said Musni on his Twitter account, @musniumar, Tuesday, March 22.

The Trade Minister said that one of the staple commodities that increased due to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict was wheat. Ukraine is known to be a wheat producing country for the needs of countries in the world.

The Trade Minister said prices of basic commodities had soared due to the Russo-Ukrainian war during a working meeting with Committee II of the DPD on Monday, March 21. In addition, Committee II DPD also questioned what was the cause of the scarcity of cooking oil.

Even though in the last three months, oil palm farmers have experienced a great harvest, but what actually happened, these farmers could not get cooking oil on the market.

"Don't feel as if the existing policy gives hope like a heavenly wind, but instead feels hell in its implementation," said Chairman of Committee II DPR, Yorry Raweyai.