Indonesia's crude palm oil (CPO) exports in 2005 are expected to reach 10.3 million tons, the industry association said Friday.

Until October 2005, CPO exports reached 8.67 million tons and the figure was expected to increase further due to stronger demand in some countries, the chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Producers Association (GAPKI), Derom Bangun, was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

The increase in CPO demand resulted from rising demand for bio- diesel fuel, he added.

Pakistan planned to increase its CPO imports from Indonesia this year after it imported 1 million tons in 2005.

"Demand from India and China is predicted to increase, thus our CPO exports in 2006 will surpass those in 2005, which are expected to reach 10.3 million tons," Derom said.

Source: Xinhua