JAKARTA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Agriculture Ministry on Friday said it has identified 139 palm oil mills suspected of purchasing fresh fruit bunches from farmers below the government-set regional benchmark prices.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono said these findings had led the agency to tighten oversight of crude palm oil supply chains and stabilize prices for smallholders.
"If they persist in buying at substandard prices, we will revoke their permits," Sudaryono told a press conference in Jakarta.
Sudaryono also urged downstream players, particularly refineries and exporters, to maintain normal trading operations. ■