South Africa Is Indonesia New Target for Palm Oil Export

The Indonesian government changed the palm oil export target, from the European to South Africa market. It was follow by the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulations (EUDR) or anti-deforestation policy. This policy burdened the process of Indonesian palm oil export to Europe.

Reported by cnbcindonesia.com, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan explained the situation. He said the government would divert these exports in stages. In the future, 3 million tonnes of palm oil will be diverted to South Africa.

“So now to the European parliament, I tell them okay, we will export 3 million tons of palm oil. Gradually, we will deliver it to Africa. It’s okay that they (Europe) don’t get it, and Africa gets it. That’s why I want to go to Africa,” explained Luhut in the CNBC Indonesia Economic Update program (10/07/2023).

Luhut believes that Indonesia must fend for itself in order to grow as a developed country. He feels that established developed countries do not want Indonesia, as a developing country, to become a developed country.

“There are countries in Europe whose population controls us. We have to be proud of ourselves as an Indonesian nation. I read an article comparing us to Timor Leste. There are those who compare us to Singapore. What is with this comparison?,” he added.