JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia is considering expanding a mandatory blend of palm oil in its biodiesel to 35 percent from 30 percent, a government source said on Thursday, as authorities look for ways to stimulate fruit purchases after a slowdown in exports.

Septian Hario Seto, an official with the Ministry of Maritime And Investment Coordination, confirmed that authorities are evaluating this change.

"We are evaluating," he said in a text message.

Bloomberg News reported on Thursday that the world's largest palm oil producer was looking to increase biodiesel's mandate to reduce fuel import costs and absorb palm oil stocks.

Palm oil stocks soared after Indonesia halted exports of crude palm oil and some other derivatives for three weeks until May 23 in an attempt to contain the skyrocketing domestic prices of cooking oil.

Source: Forbes