Russia raises Indonesian palm oil imports to highest level since early 2021
Russia imported 148,800 tonnes of Indonesian palm oil in early 2025, up from 97,800 tonnes in the comparable period of 2024. The value doubled to $166.8 million, making Russia Indonesia’s tenth-largest buyer.
Purchases reach a four-year high
Russia sharply increased its purchases of palm oil from Indonesia in early 2025, reversing the decline recorded over the previous several years. Imports reached 148,800 tonnes, compared with 97,800 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2024, according to RIA Novosti, which cited Indonesian statistics.
The latest volume was the highest recorded since the beginning of 2021. The year-on-year increase amounted to 51,000 tonnes, or approximately 52%, indicating a substantial recovery in Russian demand for Indonesia’s main agricultural export commodity.
The value of the shipments rose even faster. Russian expenditure on Indonesian palm oil doubled to $166.8 million. That remained below the $196.6 million registered in the first quarter of 2022, but the difference between the growth in volume and value points to a higher average import cost than a year earlier.
Russia becomes Indonesia’s tenth-largest buyer
The increase placed Russia tenth among importers of Indonesian palm oil by value. Pakistan led the ranking with purchases worth $828.2 million, followed by India at $706.3 million and Bangladesh at $466.1 million. These figures underline the much larger scale of demand in Indonesia’s principal South Asian markets.
Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer, making its production and export performance central to global vegetable oil supply. For Russian processors and food manufacturers, Indonesian product is also the dominant source of imported palm oil.
Russia imported 795,000 tonnes of palm oil from all suppliers in 2024, the lowest annual volume in a decade. Indonesia accounted for 70% of that total. The early-2025 increase therefore represents a marked change in purchasing momentum, although the available data do not establish whether the faster pace will continue throughout the year.
Costs, processing demand and consumer scrutiny
Palm oil is used by food processors because of its functional properties and suitability for products requiring stable fats. A rise in Russian imports may consequently reflect stronger procurement by processors, inventory rebuilding or a change in the timing of deliveries. The source material does not identify which of these factors drove the increase.
The doubled value of purchases is particularly relevant for importers and manufacturers. If higher costs are sustained, companies must either absorb them, pass them through to customers or adjust formulations and sourcing. The comparison with 2022 nevertheless shows that spending has not returned to the previous peak cited in the Indonesian data.
The recovery is occurring alongside continued scrutiny of palm oil in Russia. Infox reported concerns from domestic producers and specialists about quality and the health implications of excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids. It also noted growing consumer interest in alternatives including rapeseed, olive and sunflower oil, as well as information campaigns by some Russian organizations. For market participants, the result is a split picture: Indonesian shipments are recovering strongly, while consumer preferences and public debate may continue to influence longer-term demand.
