The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to boost downstream processing of key agricultural and plantation commodities—namely coconut, gambier, and palm oil—to enhance added value and foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman highlighted the vast potential of coconut derivatives such as coconut milk and virgin coconut oil, noting that Indonesia currently exports 2.8 million tons of coconuts annually, valued at around IDR 24 trillion. With proper processing, he estimated the value could increase up to IDR 2,400 trillion, potentially generating IDR 1,200 trillion in foreign exchange. The government also aims to capitalize on Indonesia’s dominant position in the global gambier market, which supplies 80% of global demand and can be refined into products like election ink and shampoo. To support this strategic shift, the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated an additional IDR 9.95 trillion to accelerate downstream initiatives. This funding will be used to distribute seeds and seedlings for crops such as cocoa, coffee, coconuts, cashew, and nutmeg across 800,000 hectares. The initiative is expected to generate 1.6 million jobs within two years. Minister Amran also stressed the importance of processing crude palm oil domestically into products like biofuel, cooking oil, and margarine, ensuring that the added value remains within Indonesia to strengthen its economic resilience.Source: https://indonesiabusinesspost.com/5452/national-resilience/indonesia-to-boost-agricultural-plantation-downstream-industry-to-increase-export (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Indonesia Business Post, 14 October 2025