The Price Of FFB In West Kalimantan Is IDR 4,041 Per Kilogram, Enthusiastic Farmers

Illustration of the price of palm oil. (Photo: buttmkp.karantina.pertanian.go.id)

JAKARTA - Head of the West Kalimantan Province Plantation and Livestock Service, Muhammad Munsif said, the price of palm oil continues to increase. In fact, the price is now a record high.

Currently in West Kalimantan, the price of Palm Fresh Fruit Marks (FFB) aged 10-20 years for the second period of March 2022 has reached IDR 4,041.45 per kilogram. This value is the highest price based on the results of the determination of the West Kalimantan Plantation and Livestock Service.

"Palm prices continue to experience an upward trend and for the second period of March 2022 this is the highest record for palm FFB and other products. Since last year and early 2022, the price of palm FFB is the highest at IDR 3,000 per kilogram and has now crossed IDR 4,000 per kilogram," said Muhammad Munsif, as reported by Antara, Saturday, April 2.

He added that the price of CPO or crude palm oil itself for the second period of March 2022 also broke at Rp. 17,049.44 per kilogram. The period I March 2020 was previously only Rp. 15,534.25 per kilogram.

"Palm kernel or PKO also increased where the previous period was Rp. 12,727.14 and the period II March 2022 had reached Rp. 13,590.95 per kilogram. The increase in palm oil prices was influenced by several factors, including increasing domestic and foreign demand and the amount of production. , he explained.

This price increase is clearly welcomed by oil palm farmers. Chairman of the Association of Palm Oil Farmers for Inti Rakyat (Aspekpir) West Kalimantan, YS Marjintan said farmers are getting more excited because their income is increasing.

Of course, this increase in palm oil prices can also encourage the welfare of farmers.

"Prices are going up and continue to stay at prices according to farmers' expectations. Farmers' rising prices are so enthusiastic and can improve the welfare of farmers, of course," he said.

He added, with better prices, interest in oil palm cultivation will also increase. Both those who participate in the PSR program launched by the government, as well as independently. This is evidenced by the increasing demand for seeds ready for distribution.

"However, one thing that needs attention from the government is that on the one hand the price of palm oil is high, but on the other hand, the price of fertilizers and herbicides also increases. This causes production costs to increase," he explained.