NUSA DUA, BALI – The palm oil industries have reaffirmed their role as the main pillar of Indonesia’s national economy. During the opening ceremony of the 21st Indonesian Palm Oil Conference (IPOC) and 2026 Price Outlook in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday (13/11/2025), Economic Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that the palm oil sector has maintained its position as the main driver of national economy and transition toward clean energy.
As of September 2025, Indonesia’s trade balance saw a surplus of US$ 4.34 billion, of which palm oil exports reached 28.55 million tons with earning of foreign exchange at around US$27 billion. India and China are still the main export markets for palm oil, while Japan and New Zealand showing rising demand.
Airlangga said that the palm oil industries have continually become the main pillar of Indonesian economy, especially amid the slowing down of global economic growth.
The performances of oil and gas and non-oil and gas sectors, including the palm oil sector, helped maintain the resilience of national economy. During the third quarter 2025, Indonesian economic growth reached 5.04%, which was driven by sectors of manufacturing, trade, and agriculture. The investment also grew strongly, reaching a total value of IDR 1,434.3 trillion, while inflation maintained at 2.86%.
The government had been continually implementing its counter-cyclical policy to maintain the momentum of growth.
Besides the export performance, the domestic price of palm oil had also shown a positive trend. The price of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) had reached around Rp 3,000 per kg, contributing direct benefits to producers and smallholders.
The government has been continually pushing for the ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) certification as a standard of sustainability in line with the global requirements.
This year IPOC (2025) shows an outstanding enthusiasm from industrial players:
- 38 new sponsors joined the international event,
- 113 booths were fully taken, with exhibitors featuring latest innovations,
- 1,545 participants from 28 countries – the largest number of participants during the history of IPOC.
IPOC Steering Committee Chairperson Mona Surya said that the achievement has proven the vitality of Indonesian palm oil industries in the global market. Besides the main conference, the IPOC was also combined with various activities of networking, ranging from golf tournaments, to cocktail parties and discussions, and to night networking combined with entertainments. All of the activities were designed to strengthen business relations and open opportunities for new partnerships. (*)
