Indonesia: Sugarcane farmers shout for sugar prices to be increased by IDR 4,000

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Sugarcane farmers are asking the government to increase the cost of goods sold (HPP) for sugar. This will be the basis for determining auction prices between sugar cane farmers and sugar factories. HPP is asked to increase to a minimum of IDR 16,400 from the previous IDR 12,500 per kg, meaning an increase of almost IDR 4,000 per kg. General Chair of the Indonesian People's Sugar Cane Farmers Association (APTRI) Soemitro Samadikoen said the new HPP must be established immediately because next month the sugar cane crushing season will enter. The increase in HPP, he continued, needs to be done, especially after the government again raised the government reference price (HAP) for sugar at the consumer level. Previously, the HAP for sugar at the consumer level was increased in November 2023. Soemitro explained that HPP for sugar cane is the minimum or lowest price received by farmers. In practice, he said, the price received by farmers could indeed be more ...