Labuhanbatu, 17 March 2026 – Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, demand for staple goods typically rises. To help communities access premium cooking oil at more affordable prices, Asian Agri, through its business unit PT Supra Matra Abadi (PT SMA), once again held a cooking oil bazaar in Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra, on March 16–17, 2026.
This year, PT SMA distributed a total of 3,000 liters of premium cooking oil to communities across 10 villages surrounding its operational areas of Aek Nabara Estate and Teluk Panji. In Aek Nabara, the initiative reached several villages, including Rintis, Sukadame, Ulumahuam, Sidorejo and Perbaungan. Meanwhile, in the Teluk Panji area, the bazaar was held in Teluk Panji Village, Teluk Panji Plantation, Sidodadi, Bukit Selamat and nearby communities.
Asian Agri’s North Sumatra Regional Head, Herman Sembiring, said the cooking oil bazaar is an annual initiative and part of the company’s ongoing efforts to deliver direct benefits to surrounding communities.
“Through this initiative, we aim to help communities access essential goods at more affordable prices ahead of Eid al-Fitr. This reflects Asian Agri’s commitment to its 5C principles — Good for the Community, Good for the Country, Good for the Climate, Good for the Customer, and Good for the Company — by delivering contributions that can be directly felt by the community,” he said.
More broadly, similar initiatives were also carried out across other areas in North Sumatra. In total, approximately 6,000 liters of cooking oil were distributed to communities in 20 villages surrounding the company’s operational areas in the province. Through the bazaar, residents were able to purchase Camar-brand cooking oil, with a maximum limit of two liters per person.
The initiative also received support from local governments as part of a collective effort to help maintain the affordability of essential goods, particularly ahead of the holiday season.
“The South Labuhanbatu Regency Government aims to ensure that the community has access to essential goods at affordable prices, allowing people to observe Eid al-Fitr with greater comfort and peace of mind. This Ramadan low-cost bazaar is one of our collective efforts to support that goal, including through collaboration with PT Supra Matra Abadi,” said Fauzi Hutagalung, head of the Industry and Trade Office of South Labuhanbatu.
In total, Asian Agri has distributed approximately 30,000 liters of cooking oil to communities in 100 villages surrounding its operational areas in three provinces in North Sumatra, Riau, and Jambi.
About Asian Agri
Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 20,000 people.
As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth.
Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri’s mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Asian Agri’s plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are full Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production.
Please visit Asian Agri’s website for more information and media inquiries may be directed to:
Corporate Communication, Asian Agri
E-mail: communications@asianagri.com
