GAPKI Welcomes Jokowi's Decision To Lift Migor Export Ban

General Chairman of GAPKI Joko Supriyono. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) welcomes President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) decision to lift the ban on cooking oil exports (migor).

"Hopefully the trade in palm oil and its derivatives will be excited again, both domestically and in exports," said General Chairperson of GAPKI Joko Supriyono as quoted from Antara, Thursday, May 19, 2022.

In his statement, Joko Supriyono stated that trading partners in Europe, India and Pakistan expressed their gratitude to Jokowi for lifting the ban on migrant exports.

GAPKI, he said, would continue to support the Indonesian government's policies and programs in providing affordable bulk cooking oil for the community.

"GAPKI continues to work hard so that the palm oil industry, which has an important role in the Indonesian economy, can continue to be improved," he said.

Previously, President Jokowi announced the government's policy to reopen exports of cooking oil and its raw materials starting May 23, 2022, after being banned since April 28.

"Based on the current supply and price of cooking oil, and considering that there are 17 million workers in the palm oil industry, including farmers, workers, and other supporting staff, I have decided that cooking oil exports will reopen on Monday, May 23, 2022," Jokowi said. in an official statement broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, Thursday.

He admitted that together with his staff, they have continued to monitor and encourage various steps to ensure the availability of cooking oil for the community, since the export ban was imposed.

According to Jokowi, the national demand for bulk cooking oil is around 194,000 tons per month, but in March before the export ban was imposed, the supply in the domestic market only reached 64,500 tons.

"Alhamdulillah, the supply of cooking oil continues to grow... after the export ban in April our supply reached 211,000 tons per month, exceeding our monthly national needs," he said.

Meanwhile, from the aspect of affordability of cooking oil prices, the former mayor of Solo said there was a decline in the national average price of bulk cooking oil to Rp17,200 to Rp17,600 per liter.