Breaking News-RTRS-INTERVIEW-Indonesia govt raises palm oil output forecasts

JAKARTA, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Indonesia has raised its forecasts for crude palm oil production in 2009 and 2010 because of better weather conditions and an increase in plantation areas, an agriculture ministry official said on Tuesday.
The ministry is now forecasting 2009 palm oil output of 21 million tonnes, an increase of 6.6 percent from its previous estimate of 19.7 million tonnes, said Achmad Mangga Barani, director general for plantation at the ministry, in an interview with Reuters.
As for 2010, he said the ministry had raised its output forecast to 22-23 million tonnes, from 20.5 million tonnes previously.