Oil Palm Farmers In West Kalimantan Can Smile, Prices Rise Influenced By Demand From Other Countries

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PONTIANAK - A number of oil palm farmers in West Kalimantan can smile. The reason is that there is an increase in the price of palm oil, be it FFB, CPO to kernels, which of course has a good impact on the welfare of farmers.

“Farmers' welfare can be seen in the Farmer's Exchange Rate (NTP) issued by BPS. West Kalimantan's NTP in August 2021 was 130.56 points, up 2.96 percent compared to July 2021's NTP of 126.81 points. The NTP for People's Plantation Plants (NTPR) in August 2021 is 150.23 points, up 4.31 percent compared to the NTP in July 2021 of 144.02 points," said Head of the West Kalimantan Plantation and Livestock Service Muhammad Munsif in Pontianak, quoted by Antara, Monday. , September 13th.

He explained that the increase in palm oil prices was highly influenced by demand for palm oil from other countries.

“This increase is influenced by the world market, which is currently experiencing a shortage of vegetable oil supplies from other commodities such as soybeans, peanuts, sunflowers, and so on. This makes the demand for palm oil increase,” he said

Based on data from the West Kalimantan Plantation and Livestock Service, the highest price of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) for the second period of August 2021 at the age of 10-20 is reaching Rp. 2,582 per kilogram, the price of CPO is Rp. 11,878.96 per kilogram and kernel or PK is Rp. 5,934. .54 per kilogram. Especially for TBS, currently the highest price is recorded. Meanwhile, at the beginning of the year, for the first period of January 2021, the FFB price was only Rp. 2,109.05 per kilogram.

The current price of palm oil shows a positive trend that is also influenced by the absorption of biodiesel from the domestic market. Through the B30 program, the absorption of CPO is increasing so that it has an impact on the price. He is optimistic that this positive trend will continue considering that the B30 program has received great support from the government. Moreover, the biodiesel program from palm oil will be increased again to B50 to possibly up to B100.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to him, the palm oil industry is enthusiastic and even shows an upward trend. Compared to Malaysia, the movement of the palm oil business in Indonesia is still better.

"I see that in Malaysia their production is not as good as ours because with this pandemic their production activities are disrupted because they apply very strict protocols. The indicator can be seen from the large number of workers who return home. If we, God willing, with such a wide geography, will still provide space for farmers. we are still working, so of course we are still able to maintain our production," he said.