In a significant move to boost Indonesia's palm oil industry, Apical Group is expanding its Crude Palm Oil (CPO) processing plant in Padang, West Sumatra. The expansion, led by its subsidiary PT Padang Raya Cakrawala (PRC), aims to meet the growing export demands for CPO.
On March 18, 2025, Dodi Saputra, Head of PT Padang Raya Cakrawala, announced that the company's production target is set to double to 7,000 tons per day. Currently, the facility is processing 3,500 tons per day for exports. "With the current development, the production target can double from before," Dodi explained during a press conference. The groundbreaking for this expansion was completed in July 2024 at the PT PRC facility located in the Teluk Bayur area of Padang, with the aim of completing it by early 2026.
This substantial investment reflects Apical Group's commitment to the downstream development of the palm oil industry in Indonesia. Apical Group is not only one of the top five palm oil processors in the world but has also been operating in Indonesia for the past 15 years, contributing to the local economy.
Prama Yudha Amdan, the Head of Corporate Communication at Apical Group, emphasized the company's intent to collaborate with stakeholders and local communities. "We are ready to collaborate with all parties, stakeholders, and the community to continue providing positive contributions to the community, especially in West Sumatra," he said.
Furthermore, recent figures from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) revealed that Indonesia's CPO exports have seen remarkable growth. In February 2025 alone, CPO exports reached a staggering US$2.27 billion, marking a substantial increase of 58.35% month-on-month and an impressive 89.54% year-on-year. Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, Head of BPS, noted during a press conference on March 17 that this was the highest value since August 2023.
The volume of CPO and its derivative exports in February was approximately 2.06 million tons, up from 1.27 million tons the previous month. Overall, the export figures for Indonesia's processing industry surged by 3.17% month-on-month, totaling US$17.65 billion for that period. The total export value for February also saw an increase of 2.58% month-on-month, reaching US$21.95 billion.
Meanwhile, the local government has shown strong support for Apical Group's operations. Yozarwardi Usama Putra, the acting Secretary of West Sumatra, praised the company’s efforts and their commitment to local growth. "We appreciate this activity, and of course (appreciate) Apical Group's presence in West Sumatra, and increasing its investment," he stated, urging all parties to create a healthy investment climate in the province.
In a community-oriented initiative, Apical Group also conducted a fast-breaking event with stakeholders and partners in West Sumatra, which included providing assistance to orphans in the area. This event highlights the company’s commitment to social responsibility and its desire to positively impact the communities in which it operates.
This strategic expansion of Apical Group and the notable increase in Indonesia's CPO exports mark a robust development phase for the country's palm oil industry, bridging a gap between rising export demands and industrial capabilities. As these developments unfold, it remains to be seen how they will further affect both local communities and the broader economic landscape of Indonesia.
