Indonesian cajuput oil production surged 229.5% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that Indonesia's cajuput oil production reached 25.06 million liters in 2020. This figure increased by 229.5% compared to the previous year, which was 7.6 million liters.

This surge is suspected to be due to high public demand for cajuput oil during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. This is because cajuput oil has effects in relieving headaches, nasal congestion, and stomach aches, which are some of the symptoms of corona.

By region, cajuput oil production last year originated mostly from Maluku and Papua, namely 25.02 million liters or 99.8% of the national total. Java Island is next, producing 42,800 liters or 0.2% of Indonesia's total cajuput oil production.

Cajuput oil from Maluku is known for its high quality. Research by Febry R Torry and Syarifuddin Idris in 2016 showed that cajuput oil from Maluku has a cineole content classified as first-level (P) quality, ranging from 24-44%.

The potential of cajuput forests in Maluku is spread across four regencies: Buru Regency (120,000 hectares), West Seram Regency (50,000 hectares), Southwest Maluku Regency (20,000 hectares), and Central Maluku Regency (60,000 hectares).