Jakarta’s commodities reality check

INDONESIA’S decision to postpone the centralisation of exports of strategic commodities – such as palm oil, ferroalloys and coal – from June 1 to early next year, is a wise move as much as a reality check.

One planter crudely describes the postponement as the first political thunderclap that has now met the estate road. Jakarta has not abandoned its canalisation idea. It has merely slowed the tractor before entering difficult terrain.