Indonesia expands palm oil cultivation to support B50 biodiesel initiative

Indonesia is stepping up oil palm cultivation to boost crude palm oil (CPO) production as a feedstock for the production of 50 per cent biodiesel (B50), the Agriculture Ministry said on Monday.

According to the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (IPOPA), crude palm oil production is set to reach 50.07 million tonnes in 2023, with domestic consumption set to rise as a result of the B35 biodiesel policy. Plans are underway to raise biodiesel blends to B40 by January 2025, while preparing for the implementation of B50.