Jakarta. Indonesia's palm oil exports are soaring as producers keep their fingers crossed that the new one-gate trade regime will not scare away foreign buyers.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that shipments of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives had totaled $8.22 billion in the first four months of 2026, up by around 16.59% from the same period last year. Indonesia sold them overseas in greater volumes, reaching 7.72 million tons compared to the 6.41 million tons shipped in January-April 2025, up by 20.38%.

“India, China, and Pakistan are our top buyers for palm oil,” Pudji Ismartini, a deputy at BPS, told a press briefing on Tuesday.

The monthly exports of the vegetable oil that is found in half of supermarket goods are also picking up again after declining in March.

Palm oil exports started the year strong with $2.29 billion worth of palm oil exports in January, which later grew to $2.40 billion the following month. The figure slowed down to $1.42 billion in March before reaching $2.11 billion in April, according to BPS. 

However, the enormity of palm oil shipments was not enough to stop the overall surplus from plummeting to $89.1 million as the country’s inflows of foreign goods soared in double digits. This is also the lowest positive trade balance since May 2020. 

Pudji also admitted that the agency had not calculated the impact of the new one-gate export system, as any assessments would have to wait for the June data. Indonesia will centralize all palm oil exports under the state-run Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI), starting with a transition period that is now on its second day. The body will eventually take over the entire export process, including the transactions with the buyers. Its job is currently limited to the export documents.

The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki) continues to push the government to take things slowly.

“Our palm oil goes to 160 countries. Buyers’ demand can vary. They have their own formula which they wish to keep to themselves,” Gapki chair Eddy Martono told the press.

“What concerns us is if DSI can actually be ready once it is fully operational [next year]. That’s why it’s best to take a gradual approach.”