Indonesia to Develop Red Cooking Oil

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government planned to develop red cooking oil as an alternative amid the high price of palm cooking oil. Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki said the price of red cooking oil would be cheaper than the general one consumed by the public.

“The selling price in the market is cheaper because of its simpler process,” said Teten at the Jakarta Presidential Palace, Monday, July 18, 2022.

Unlike palm cooking oil, red cooking oil is oil that does not go through a bleaching process. Teten explained that it is rich in protein and vitamin A content. Malaysia previously produced the commodity and exported it to China to overcome vitamin A deficiency.

The development plan was discussed by the ministers along with President Joko Widodo or Jokowi in a limited meeting. The government will set up a pilot production project in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

“I am optimistic with this red edible oil because it is healthy and can also be cheaper and this can be accepted by the community,” said Teten.

Jokowi in the meeting approved the development of cooperative-based red cooking oil which was deemed a potential solution because 35 percent of palm oil or CPO production comes from independent farmers. 

The development of red cooking oil is believed to be a way out for farmers who have been very dependent on the sales of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) of oil palm to the cooking oil industry, which is still centered in Java.

ANTARA

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