Indonesia sees triple corn exports in 2009

A foreseen bumper harvest may triple Indonesia's corn exports this year to one million tonnes, according to the director general for food crops at the agriculture ministry on Monday (February 9).

Sutarto Alimoeso said Indonesia's corn output may increase to 18 million tonnes from 16 million tonnes in 2008 as farmers were encouraged to grow more corn due to good prices. The animal feed industry has also used local corn and may purchase around 9 million tonnes as against 8 million tonnes in 2008, he said.

It still leaves much for food consumption and export at 1 million tonnes, he added.

On the other hand, Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) output is expected to rise about 5 percent to 19.7 million tonnes this year, against 18.7 million tonnes in 2008.

According to Achmad Mangga Brani, director general of plantations at the agriculture ministry, the use of CPO for cooking oil in the world's biggest CPO producer, is estimated at 4.5 million tonnes, while the country's fledgling biodiesel industry may absorb 2.5 million tonnes.

The government's projection was smaller than an estimate made in December by the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers' Association of 20.25 million tonnes for 2009.