Indonesia's PT Astra Agro Lester doubled exports of crude palm oil last year due to stronger overseas demand and robust output, the company said on Tuesday. Astra Agro, a subsidiary of the country's top auto retailer, PT Astra International TDK, said it exported 331,767 tonnes of crude palm oil, or CPO, in 2004. This was up from 165,248 tonnes the previous year. Around 43 percent of the company's CPO exports went to India, the world's biggest oils importer, while the remainder was shipped to Malaysia, Vietnam and the Netherlands.

Astra Agro said its CPO output in 2004 was 756,172 tonnes, up around 19 percent from 633,425 tonnes in 2003. The company said higher yield per fresh fruit bunch was the main reason for its healthy output.

Copyright Reuters, 2005