Headline News on Palm Oil - September 2020

Read curated news that impacts the palm oil industry globally.
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CSPO Watch News. Making it easy for you to follow the palm oil industry

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European Union - ​Deforestation and forest degradation – EU public consultation begins
Public consultation on stepping up EU action against deforestation and forest degradation has opened this week.

According to the European Commission (EC), forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.

Deforestation And Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Activities related to forestry and other land use – primarily deforestation – were responsible for 12% of greenhouse gas emissions, which makes them the second major cause of climate change after the burning of fossil fuels. Agriland

Malaysia - Malaysia's FGV says disappointed with U.S. ban on palm oil products
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil producer FGV Holdings Bhd said on Thursday it was disappointed with a move by the United States to ban the imports of its products over allegations of forced labour when it has taken steps to fix the issue.

“FGV is disappointed that such decision has been made when FGV has been taking concrete steps over the past several years in demonstrating its commitment to respect human rights and to uphold labour standards,” the company said in a statement.

The company said it will continue to engage with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which issued the ban, to clear its name. Reuters

Malaysia - US restricts palm oil imports from Malaysia over alleged forced labor abuses
US Customs and Border Protection will block imports of palm oil and palm oil products from Malaysia in the latest move by the agency targeting overseas forced labor practices.

The restrictions, which went into effect on Wednesday, take aim at all palm oil produced by FGV Holdings Berhad, a Malaysian-based agricultural company, and come after a yearlong CBP investigation into labor abuses.
CBP uncovered indicators of forced labor including physical and sexual violence, debt bondage, retention of identification documents and withholding of wages, said Brenda Smith, executive assistant commissioner of CBP's Office of Trade. CNN

New Zealand - Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: Why farmers shouldn't boycott PKE
The suggestion that New Zealand farmers are responsible for the extinction of orangutans due to the use of PKE is both extraordinary and irresponsible. It is a dangerous myth that can be busted easily with the facts, writes Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.

The use of Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) in New Zealand is not responsible for the extinction of the Sumatran orangutan. In fact, it isn't responsible for the extinction of any orangutan, whether Sumatran, Bornean or Tapanuli. NZHerald

Germany - German Confectionery Industry calls for uniform regulation of all supply chains
The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) has called for a uniform European approach to supply chain standards saying that in some countries where raw materials are imported from, human rights are still not being observed, even though they have signed the relevant international conventions. ConfectioneryNews

Africa - COVID-19: When ‘local sourcing’ is more than buzz words, but a reality
The COVID-19 crisis has forced far greater local sourcing, as ports and planes ground to a halt. But, for this welcome change to be permanent, structural reforms are needed.

For Lillian Kidane, a partner at consulting firm Dalberg, one silver lining of the pandemic might be that ‘local sourcing’ becomes more than just a buzz word in Africa. Getting agriculture right has been the launch pad for industrial revolutions around the world. TheAfricaReport

Tanzania - Govt Disburses Over 1bn/ - for Palm Oil Production
PALM oil producers in the country may now have a reason to smile after the government's decision to disburse about 1.4bn/- to Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) as budget support to increase production.

Among other things, the money is also intended to support the state- owned institution to research and produce enough palm oil seedlings to farmers and inculcate in extension officers and farmers agronomic skills to cultivate the cash crop professionally. AllAfrica

Indonesia - Pertamina, Honeywell sign renewable diesel deal
Indonesian state-owned refiner Pertamina is partnering with US engineering firm Honeywell to produce renewable diesel at two of its plants in Palembang and central Java province.

The company will use Honeywell's UOP renewable jet fuel process technology at its 118,000 b/d Plaju refinery in Palembang, south Sumatra, and UOP Ecofinig technology at its 348,000 b/d Cilacap refinery in central Java. ArgusMedia

Neste/ Shell - Shell inks deal with Neste to boost aviation biofuels supply
Shell last week announced a deal with oil refining and biofuels manufacturer Neste, which the two companies claim will significantly increase the supply and availability of sustainable jet fuel for the aviation industry.

The agreement, which comes into effect from next month, brings together Neste's expertise in the production and supply of so-called "renewable diesel" made from a range of raw materials — such as animal fats, vegetable oils, rapeseed oil and palm oil — with Shell's aviation arm, which supplies jet fuel around the world. GreenBiz

Nigeria - Oil palm growers decry inability to access CBN’s development fund
Members of the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN) have decried their inability to access the recent Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) oil palm development funds.

The newly-elected President of the Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), Mr. Joe Onyiuke, accused previous leadership of the association for failing to create structures and properly organise it. TheNation

Nigeria - Reviving cocoa, oil palm industries as main economic drivers
Cocoa and palm oil, among others, were the bedrock of the country’s economy before the Oloibiri oil rig became a metaphor for complacency and mono-cultural economy 60 years after independence. However, the government has been advised to restore farmers’ productivity, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and the Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to stimulate socio-economic development.  GuardianNG

Nigeria - Experts caution FG on forex ban for food importation
Some Trade and Economic Experts said that though Federal Government’s decision to ban forex for food importation would develop local capacity but should be executed cautiously to forestall drastic food shortage. SunNewsOnline

Nigeria - Palm oil price goes up 40% in Enugu
The price of palm oil has skyrocketed in major markets across Enugu metropolis, placing the commodity beyond the reach of the common man. A market survey conducted by NAN on Saturday revealed that the price of palm oil has risen by about 40 percent, compared to what its price was some months ago. VanguardNGR

India - New Delhi, Sep 27 (PTI) India''s mustard seeds production is likely to rise while import of edible oil may reduce on account of the government''s decision to ban blending of mustard oil with any other cooking oil with effect from October 1, according to leading industry players. Adani Wilmar, which sells cooking oil under Fortune brand, and Mother Dairy that markets edible oils under Dhara brand, hailed the decision, saying it will benefit both farmers and consumers. OutlookIndia

Nigeria - The Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for empowering smallholder farmers under the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP).

The newly-elected President of the association, Mr Joe Onyiuke made the commendation during a stakeholders’ forum on investment and funding opportunities in the oil palm value chain for oil palm growers in Abuja. GuardianNG

Malaysia - Sarawak CM says state govt to take over oil plantation from Tabung Haji
BETONG, Sept 26 — Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said the state government is currently negotiating with Tabung Haji to take over its oil palm plantations in the state. 

He said at the moment the negotiation is focused on determining the prices of the plantations.
“This means that Tabung Haji oil plantations will be taken over by the state government in a near future.

“In this way, we will help the smallholders in their respective areas. MalayMail

Guatemala. Opinion - Palm oil can have devastating effects on the communities that make it — and companies are racing to find a sustainable solution
But the versatile substance has long been a target of conservationists for the toll it takes on the environment, from deforestation to the millions of tons of greenhouse gases it generates.
Now, companies around the world are racing to prove that they can produce the world's most popular edible oil sustainably, and are under pressure from major corporations. This year, huge corporations like Kellogg's and Pepsi made changes to their palm oil policies, joining several other companies in pledging to source palm oil responsibly.
That struggle is playing out in Guatemala, a relatively new country to the palm oil scene. BusinessInsider

Germany - BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany plans to speed up its transition to low-carbon transport, bringing forward by four years to 2026 the point when 14% of fuel used in transport must come from renewable energy sources, according to a draft law.

For the first time, airlines will be obliged to obtain a proportion of their fuel from renewable sources, with 2% - around 200,000 tonnes - to be carbon-free by 2030. Palm oil will be banned from all transport fuel by 2026. Reuters

Malaysia - MIRI (Sept 26): The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry has sternly warned dealers of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) against buying the commodity at very low prices from smallholders in Sarawak.

Its deputy minister, Willie Mongin, today said that it was unacceptable for these dealers to give high cost of transportation as an excuse for buying the fruits at such prices. TheEdgeMarkets

FCMG - Food giants launch new deforestation pledge after missing 2020 objectives
The Consumer Goods Forum has launched a fresh initiative to tackle deforestation in the food chain. FoodNavigator takes a look at this new effort – and asks why the CGF’s previous zero-deforestation commitment missed the mark.
​FoodNavigator

FCMG - Grocery giants commit to fight deforestation for palm oil, soy, paper production
Seventeen of the world’s largest consumer goods companies have formed a coalition to eliminate deforestation, forest degradation and conversion from the key commodity supply chains of palm oil, soy, and paper, pulp and fibre-based packaging.

The initiative, called the Forest Positive Coalition of Action, was led by The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and launched as part of Climate Week 2020. InsideFCMG

Bioenergy - Total eyes first biojet output from Grandpuits in 2024
Total is planning to produce up to 170,000 t/yr of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — also known as biojet — at its Grandpuits refinery near Paris once it has converted the facility into a biorefinery. The supplies will help meet growing demand as European countries legislate to reduce emissions in the aviation sector. ArgusMedia

Bioenergy/ Malaysia - Malaysian used cooking oil (UCO) exports hit an all-time high of 99,000t in July, as demand for the biodiesel feedstock increased despite depressed transport fuel demand because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

July exports were more than double the 46,000t sold in June and 68pc higher than the 59,000t sold in July 2019. The UK, Singapore and the Netherlands were the biggest buyers taking 42,000t, 28,500t and 21,000t respectively. ArgusMedia

Malaysia - MPOB develops transport monitoring system to prevent misconduct
THE Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has developed a monitoring system to track palm oil transport vehicles to prevent misconduct.

DG Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir (picture) said MPOB offices nationwide constantly monitor and carry out regular inspections to ensure compliance with palm oil industry regulations.

“MPOB always cooperates with enforcement agencies and departments including the Royal Malaysia Police and the Department of Environment to curb misconduct activities in the palm oil industry that could threaten its wellbeing,” Ahmad Parveez said in a statement yesterday. TheMalaysianReserve

Malaysia - Africa the next Malaysian palm oil growth area
KUALA LUMPUR: Africa, a continent with a population of over 1.3 billion and expected to increase to 2.5 billion by 2050, offers bright prospects for Malaysian palm oil, with demand likely to come from industries such as food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, say palm oil experts.

“Malaysia’s position as a leading supplier of sustainable and quality oil products must be exploited to the fullest, and there is ample opportunity for growth of palm oil supply in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly southern Africa, ” said Dawie Theron, Sime Darby Oils South Africa’s senior trading manager. TheStar

Southeast Asia - Vietnam's EU trade deal fails to inspire COVID-hit neighbors
Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines hesitate despite need to revive economies
Southeast Asian countries facing the daunting challenge of kickstarting economic recoveries from Covid19 are showing little interest in a step that could help-fast tracking free trade talks with the European Union. NikkeiAsiaReview

India - Oil palm push in the northeast may impact biodiversity, water table, say experts
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has informed Parliament on September 21 that the area under oil palm cultivation has increased from 3 lakh hectares (ha) in 2015-16 to 3.57 lakh ha in 2019-20 and edible oil production has also gone up from 8.63 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 10.53 million tonnes in 2019-20. HindustanTimes

Malaysia - Palm oil-based product manufacturers asked to display MSPO logo on packaging
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SHAH ALAM, Sept 22 — The Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) has asked companies producing palm-based products to display the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification (MSPO) logo on their packaging.

MPOCC chairman Muhtar Suhaili said currently only two companies were displaying the logo on their product packaging. MalayMail

Liberia - Agriculture boss projects 3-year plan
Liberia’s Agriculture Minister, Jeanie Milly Cooper has projected a three-year agriculture program for the country.

Appearing for budget hearing before the Liberian Legislature Joint Committees on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget over the weekend Minister Cooper disclosed she has developed three years strategic plan for the ministry, adding that the plans include validating six mobilizing programs for second stage implementation, updating the ministry’s programs to meet current realities, operationalizing the sector’s approved acts, including seeds, food safety, fertilizer and validating the national rice development strategy, respectively. TheNewDawnLiberia

Malaysia - Nestlé to blacklist unsustainable suppliers
NESTLÉ (M) Bhd will blacklist key raw materials suppliers who are not meeting its sustainability and environmental requirements to tackle deforestation and unfair labour practices.

Its CEO and regional head for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Juan Aranols (picture) said Nestlé SA has been implementing a satellite-based service, namely Starling, to monitor and track the group’s palm oil supply chain. TheMalaysianReserve

Nestlé’s sustainability pledge
Nestlé pledge to make ‘every cup’ of Nespresso coffee carbon neutral by 2022.

The company announced the ambitious plan last week, which will see it achieve climate-conscious coffee for both at-home and professional customers via a three step plan which will focus on emissions in its supply chain and product life cycle. C-Store

Malaysia - National Consumer Foundation calls on PM to address alleged leakage in Malaysia’s oil palm industry
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 21 — The National Consumer Foundation or Yayasan Pengguna Negara Malaysia (YPNM) today submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, calling for action on the alleged leakage in the oil palm industry.

Its president, Datuk Mohd Firdaus Abdullah said the alleged leakage had affected the income of almost 700,000 oil palm smallholders nationwide, including that of Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra). MalayMail

Papua New Guinea - Ready to sow: Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector could rebound next year
Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector has been adversely affected by the impact of COVID-19. But, according to a new report by ANZ Research, exports of agricultural commodities may rebound sharply next year.

The ‘sharp deterioration’ in the global economic environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected PNG’s agriculture sector, according to the government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). It noted that export production in the first half of the year was also affected by the ‘nationwide lockdown, which restricted farmers’ mobility to work their farms.’ BusinessAdvantagePNG

Indonesia - Indonesia’s Palm Oil Exports Rise on Higher Shipments 
Indonesia’s palm oil exports increased in July on higher shipments to China and the Middle East, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association.

Total exports rose to 3.13 million tons from 2.77 million tons a month earlier, the association, known as Gapki, said in a statement on Sunday. While shipments to China increased 43% month-on-month, those to the Middle East surged 65%. Bloomberg

Nigeria - DIVERSIFICATION: A’Ibom Commissioner harps on improved oil palm yields
With the priority placed by the government on Agriculture in its economy diversification-drive, oil palm farmers have been urged to increase their yields through improved production methods.

 Comrade Ini Ememobong who was presenting a paper on “The Role of Small Scale Oil Palm Farmers in Nigeria Economy”, noted that the importance of oil palm as a major product of agriculture cannot be overemphasized and called on oil palm farmers to step up their yields by adapting good production methods. VamguardNGR

Indonesia - Palm oil sector relies on domestic demand as exports drop
Growth in demand for Indonesian palm oil this year will be driven by domestic consumption as exports drop amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki). Indonesia, the world’s top palm oil producer, is expected to raise domestic consumption by a slight 1.2 percent year-on-year (yoy) to 15.8 million tons in 2020, Gapki data unveiled on Sept. 1 show. TheJakartaPost

Indonesia - Hard work pays off
Amid the catastrophic impacts of the coronavirus, good news is coming from Indonesian forests. The government’s efforts to reduce deforestation and forest fires have paid off. Indonesia has secured a grant of US$103.8 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for avoiding the emission of 20.3 million tons of carbon dioxide from 2014 to 2016. TheJakartaPost

Malaysia - Taking FGV private an ‘option’
THE Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) on Tuesday said plans to privatise its listed arm FGV Holdings Bhd is “definitely an option” ahead of the tabling of a new report on the agency next month.

Felda DG Dr Datuk Othman Omar said a strategic review of the group includes exploring options to privatise FGV to boost Felda’s income, though he did not state if the decision has been taken. TheMalaysianReserve

India  - TS suitable for large scale cultivation of oil palm
Hyderabad: Telangana is poised to become one of the largest oil palm cultivators in the country due to availability of land and favorable conditions for growing this crop on a large scale. The multiple irrigation projects in the State are making Telangana a prominent State for oil palm plantation and processing activities, said Sanjay Goenka, MD and CEO – 3F Oil Palm. TelanganaToday

Colombia - With B30, palm growers bet on economic reactivation and employment
In the framework of the 48th version of its National Congress, the palm sector launched the proposal to advance in a new stage of the BIOdiesel program with the goal of reaching a 30% (B30) mix and thus contribute to economic and social progress and environmental in the 21 palm departments of the country.  Notidia

India - Enter Palm Oil in Northeast India : Centre, Patanjali, Godrej Bet Big
The Oil Palm Developers and Processors Association welcomed the suggestion, saying in a press release on August 9, “The oil palm area in the country is very negligible today, compared to the potential the crop has. We have seen the transformation this crop has brought about in the lives of the farmer community in Andhra Pradesh. This can be replicated in the North-East.”TheCitizen

Ghana - Exempt oil palm industry from Benchmark Valuation Policy – OPDAG
The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), has appealed to the government to exempt the oil palm sector from the Benchmark Valuation Policy (BVP).

According to OPDAG, this would safeguard the sector against collapse and guarantee the economic livelihoods of players in the oil palm value chain in the country. GhanaWeb

Asia - Asian palm oil giants say sustainability is new business norm
Palm oil companies, which have faced criticism in recent years for widespread deforestation, said on Monday that ensuring sustainability across the supply chain was the new business norm as scrutiny on responsibly produced palm oil mounts. MalaysiaKini

Europe - EPOA calls for EU-wide mandatory due diligence on all vegetable oils to create level-field for all companies
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The European Palm Oil Alliance’s (EPOA) suggestion for a European Union (EU)-wide mandatory due diligence for companies using palm oil and other vegetable oils will create a level-playing field and a consistent framework for all companies, said its chair Frans Claassen. NamNewsNetwork

Indonesia - Agriculture exports ‘potential winners’ amid pandemic: Trade Ministry
Indonesian agricultural exports could be “potential winners” in the pandemic as they recorded annual growth despite the downturn in global trade, according to the Trade Ministry. TheJakartaPost

New Zealand - The Green Party is promising to give farmers $297 million to help them transition to climate-friendly practices, but its "Farming for the Future" agriculture policy has not been met with much enthusiasm from the rural community.

A proposed levy on nitrogen and phosphorous fertilisers was of particular concern. NZHerald

Ghana - Solidaridad, an international civil society organization, has partnered the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to promote high quality food safety standards among artisanal palm oil producers.
The move is to help enhance market access for workers in the palm oil value chain by ensuring that finished products meet both local and international standards. GraphicGH

Malaysia - Socio-economic, environmental sustainability emphasis in Budget 2021
THE government will study and redefine the context of socio-economic and environmental sustainability in its post COVID-19 economic recovery framework.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (picture) said the study would encompass aspects of legislation, policies, education and awareness programmes to warrant a balanced development and the people’s well-being.

“Many people consider sustainable practices as an unnecessary cost without realising that these can reduce far higher costs caused by external factors. TheMalaysianReserve

Malaysia - ‘Jom MSPO’ to promote sustainability certification among oil palm smallholders
SANDAKAN: The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry, through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC), is vigorously undertaking its ‘Jom MSPO’ programme to promote sustainability certification among smallholders.
MPOB chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub said the programme was aimed at ensuring adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) by the palm oil players and also enhancing their income. BorneoPost

Nigeria - Funding options for agriculture in Nigeria expands with N50 bln scheme
The Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGSF) Amendment Act assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari increased the share capital of the fund from N3 billion to N50 billion. The new scheme is in line with Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) move to increase lending to the agricultural sector and support increased food production. The fund provides a guarantee for bank loans for agriculture and boost lending to agriculture. Financing of production farm machinery, production equipment, processing, storage and transportation are now allowed under the amended ACGSF Act, writes COLLINS NWEZE. SalaamGateway

Nigeria - FG Partners FAO On Cocoa, Oil Palm Sustainable Systems in Niger Delta
The federal government and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) have begun the implementation of the integrated landscape management and sustainable food system in the Niger Delta region of the country.

Speaking at the inception Workshop for project preparation of the Food System Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme (FOLUR-IP) orginsed by the FAO in Abuja, Dr Bolatito Obisesan, director of the project, said it would focus on cocoa and oil palm in cross River and Ondo states. AllAfrica

Nigeria - FAO raises concern over deforestation in Nigeria
The United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has expressed concern over the increasing rate of deforestation in the country.

FAO Country Representative, Fred Kafeero who spoke at an inception workshop recently, said the 3.7per cent deforestation rate in the county is predominantly due to impact of agricultural activities causing environmental degradation such as deforestation, declining soil fertility, biodiversity loss and reduction of other ecosystem services. GuardianNG

Nigeria. Interview - Nigeria needs 100,000 hectares of oil palm to close deficit — Expert
Okomu is one of Nigeria’s leading oil palm companies listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE). It covers an area of 33, 112 hectares, of which 18, 879 hectares is currently planted with oil palm trees and 7,335 hectares with rubber trees.

Billy Ghansah, its agricultural coordinator, believes that Nigeria’s palm oil production has not declined per se. But the country’s production figures remained stagnated, which could not complement the growing population’s demand.

More so, he highlighted some of the key challenges bedevilling the sector and how opportunities therein can be harnessed effectively and efficiently. PremiumTimesNG

Japan - TOKYO -- Japanese biofuel companies are expanding their production of fuel from sources such as algae and palm oil waste, despite the current lack of demand from the aviation industry and falling oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biofuel startup Chitose Bio Evolution, which received funding from oil and gas company Eneos Holdings in March, is planning to expand production of algae that can generate biofuels in Malaysia. It has a 1,000 sq. meter production facility in the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre. Including the rest of Southeast Asia, it is looking to grow its production facility to larger than 200,000 sq. meters. AsiaNikkei

Spain - Spain's climate bill threatens biofuel projects: Repsol
Spanish integrated firm Repsol's chief executive Josu Jon Imaz has called on the Spanish government to amend its climate change and energy transition bill because it threatens the viability of biofuel plants by not considering their life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings.

The focus on direct CO2 emissions from road transport, as opposed to net emissions, in article 12 of the climate bill is misguided, Imaz said at a presentation to a parliamentary committee. It ignores both the CO2 created in the production of electric vehicle components in exporting countries such as China and the sequestration of gas in the feedstocks used to produce biofuels, he said. ArgusMedia

Malaysia. Opinion - No such thing as sustainable palm oil? Yes, there is – in Malaysia
Last week (Sept 5, 2020), Italian scientist Roberto Gatti made headlines in Malaysia when he proclaimed that there is “no such thing as sustainable palm oil”. The only problem is that Mr Gatti is wrong.

Oil palm producers have for the last 15 years become the lightning rod for the public’s growing anger on issues relating to deforestation, global warming, subpar labour practices, and transboundary haze. TheStar

India - Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy on Thursday said 55 per cent of the country's paddy production was from Telangana and this was the result of the increase in cultivable land in the State because of several irrigation projects taken up by the government. The Minister was replying to a question on whether the government was encouraging palm oil cultivation in the State raised by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) member B Suman during the Question Hour in the Assembly. TheHansIndia

Bloomberg - La Nina May Disrupt Global Food Supply, Send Prices Higher
The La Nina weather system could roil global food production, sending prices higher, as potential droughts and floods bring upheaval to a suite of key agricultural commodities from Southeast Asia to South America.

The highly anticipated phenomenon has officially formed, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center said Thursday, after the last significant La Nina event occurred in 2011. Bloomberg

Cameroon seeks suppliers for 3 palm oil extraction plants and mini-power plants
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently issued an international call for tenders to select firms that will supply it with three palm oil extraction plants and mini-power plants.

According to the call, each of the extraction plants must have a nominal processing capacity of 6 tons per hour. BusinessInCameroon

India - Khammam: The State government is planning to increase palm oil cultivation in another 4,000 acres this year in the erstwhile Khammam district and encouraging the farmers by providing subsidies. It was planned to cultivate palm oil in about seven lakh acres across the State this year and encouraging the farmers accordingly in all districts.
Palm oil cultivation is going on in 40,000 acres in both Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. Keeping in view the benefits from this cultivation, the State government has decided to turn in more farmers from cultivating commercial crops like chilly and cotton to palm oil by providing subsidies. TheHansIndia

​India - Telangana to promote oil palm cultivation to reduce edible oil imports

Hyderabad: Keeping in view of the demand for edible oils and increasing imports from abroad, the State government will be focusing on promoting oil palm cultivation on a large scale in the State. India had spent approximately Rs 79,000 crore of its foreign exchange last year to import edible oils from abroad of which over Rs 40,000 crore were spent for importing oil palm alone from countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
TelaganaToday

Malaysia - B20 biodiesel available throughout Malaysia by next June
THE national B20 biodiesel programme for the transportation sector — which was initially postponed at the beginning of the Movement Control Order in March — has recommenced to expedite the uptake of the local consumption of biodiesel.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (picture) said the programme is expected to see petrol stations in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia retailing the green fuel beginning Jan 1 and June 15, 2021, respectively.

He said the B20 biodiesel is already available in Sarawak starting Sept 1. TheMalaysianReserve

Equatorial Palm Oil - Kuala Lumpur Kepong : KL-Kepong Reduces Stake in Equatorial Palm Oil to 49.08% From 62.86%

Equatorial Palm Oil PLC said Thursday that its majority owner KL-Kepong International Ltd. has reduced its stake in the company below 50%.

The London-listed company said KL-Kepong--a subsidiary of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd., a Malaysian oleochemicals producer--reduced its shareholding to 49.08% from 62.86%.

Shares in Equatorial Palm Oil at 0903 GMT were up 0.08 pence, or 7.0%, at 1.15 pence. MarketScreener

Bangladesh - A feast for the eyes: Palm trees in millions adorn Rajshahi Barind region

The Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) has, so far, planted more than 4 million palm-trees creating an eye-catching atmosphere on both sides of the rural roads in the region including its vast Barind tract.

BMDA Executive Engineer Torikul Islam said the trees were developed on the roadsides and surroundings of ponds and canals for enhancing the production of molasses with a view to reducing pressure on imported sugar. DhakaTribune

Solidaridad Network : RSPO Members in Guatemala and Honduras adapt sustainable palm oil standards

The certification validates member companies towards their clients, promoting and auditing for standard practices through 163 indicators that protect human rights and natural resources, and will also bring prosperity to the producers, companies, and communities where they are located.

RSPO members in Guatemala and Honduras created groups that, along with other actors, work together under the continuing oversight of RSPO representatives in Latin America. MarketScreener

Indonesia - JAKARTA: Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, plans to revise its palm oil export levy rules to allow higher collection when prices increase, a senior cabinet minister told Reuters, as part of moves to underpin an ambitious biodiesel programme.

Since June this year, Indonesia has collected a maximum US$55 (RM229) levy a tonne on palm oil exports, regardless of the price. TheSunDaily

Thailand - BANGKOK (Sept 8): Thailand’s cabinet has approved plans to reduce the country’s huge crude palm oil (CPO) stockpile to shore up domestic price.

Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha today approved the National Palm Oil Policy Committee’s proposal to export 300,000 tonnes of CPO by March next year. TheEdgeMarkets

Liberia - Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The fate of a bill seeking the ratification of an agreement between the Government of Liberia and Foauni Brothers continues to hang in limbo as the Plenary of the House of Representatives voted in favor of a motion calling on the Legislature to take no action on President George Weah’s veto power against the bill.

The bill entitled “An Act to Ratify the Investment Incentive Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Liberia and Foauni Brothers Corporation,” was vetoed by President Weah last August because a page containing important information was omitted. FrontPageAfrica

Nigeria - Opinion. Why Nigeria should reclaim its position in palm oil production
Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people, is the largest consumer of palm oil in Africa. It consumed approximately three million metric tons of fats and oils in 2018, with palm oil accounting for 44.7% or 1.34 million metric tons In the same period, the nation’s palm oil production stood at 1.02 million MT resulting to supply shortfall of 0.32 million MT (excluding possible impact of palm oil exports). VanguardNGR

Indonesia - Mutual recognition’: Indonesia calls on UK to adopt same standards for rapeseed as it wants for palm oil - exclusive insights
Indonesia has called on the United Kingdom to implement equivalent regulations for rapeseed oil as stipulated in the the Due Diligence policy it is looking to apply to palm oil, in order to achieve proper ‘mutual recognition’ of each other’s regulatory frameworks. FoodNavigatorAsia

Singapore/ Jakarta - Asian Palm Oil Producers with Operating Strengths Have Advantage in Cyclical Industry
07 September 2020: Producers with operating strengths based on factors such as plantation profiles, productivity, cost position and vertical integration, and conservative financial metrics are better placed to navigate the cyclicality and price volatility of the crude palm oil industry, Fitch Ratings says. These companies would have better credit profiles as a result. FitchRatings

LONDON, Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global energy and commodity price reporting agency Argus has launched new price assessments for renewable diesel in Europe.

As countries seek to transition away from fossil fuels, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is becoming increasingly popular as a renewable alternative to traditional petroleum diesel. It can be blended into the existing petroleum diesel pool and is an important part of meeting the requirements set by the EU Renewable Energy Directive legislation to increase the share of renewables in the transport fuel pool by 2030. ArgusMedia

Biofuels International - ‘Move away from fossil fuels a boost for environment and general health’
As policymakers and public health experts dig deeper into the human costs of air pollution, including heightened risk from COVID-19 among vulnerable communities, a rapidly growing body of research is raising awareness of the threat posed by toxic fuel additives, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). BiofuelsNews

Nigeria - The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has approved 50 hectares of farmland for three international investors for the production of palm oil in the state.

The parcel of land, according to the governor, is on lease to three new companies coming from Asia as part of efforts by the government to boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create more employment opportunities for residents. GuardianNG

Malaysia - SIME Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) are collaborating on a research programme for a secondary forest located within the Sapong Estate in Sabah.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between SDP’s Upstream Malaysia chief executive officer Roslin Azmy Hassan and UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Taufiq Yap Yun Hin. TheStarMY

CPOPC - Opinion. Kraft Heinz’s No Palm Oil Marketing a Lesson for Global Brands
Kraft Heinz introduced a new hazelnut spread for its Canadian consumers in June 2020 which could turn out to be an invaluable lesson for multinational companies.

A soft introduction was launched when Kraft ran a poll on Twitter asking Kraft Peanut Butter followers whether they would prefer their hazelnut spread with or without palm oil. This was the first mistake they made.

Social media platforms, especially Twitter which facilitates open discussions, are useful for marketing traction if the campaign is solid. The Kraft Peanut Butter poll on its new hazelnut spread ended in a mess as participants weighed in with views ranging from thanking Kraft for not using palm oil to criticism for its high sugar content. CPOPC

Indonesia - ​First-semester biodiesel consumption reached 4.36 million kl: Ministry
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The utilization of biodiesel blended fuels reached 4.36 million kiloliters (kl) until mid-2020, constituting almost 68 percent of last year's total consumption, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry stated.

"The (COVID-19) pandemic has slightly slowed down the utilization of biodiesel owing to declining consumption in the transportation sector. However, the government is upbeat about the use of FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) until the end of this year surpassing last year's consumption due to the implementation of B-30 (a 30-percent biodiesel mix)," Chief of the Communication and Public Information Service Bureau of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Agung Pribadi stated here on Friday.​ AntaraNews

Malaysia - KUCHING, Sept 3 — The biodiesel improvement programme and initiatives in the country as well as opening of new markets have contributed to the increase in palm oil price currently, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Willie Mongin.

He said for example, the price of crude palm oil (CPO) has increased to RM2,880 per tonne at present, while fresh fruit bunches (FFB) is around RM540 per tonne, after falling to RM260 per tonne previously. MalayMail

Cameroon - YAOUNDE - Cameroon says the economies of its troubled English-speaking western regions are collapsing as a result of the country’s four-year separatist conflict. Officials say the ongoing fighting has made tax revenues in the English-speaking Northwest region drop from $800,000 annually to just $1,000 last year. The lack of government funds has had devastating effects on the region.  

Fotso Dominique, the most senior government economic official in the English-speaking Northwest region, says separatist fighters have succeeded in chasing customs and tax officials from almost all crossing points along the border with Nigeria. VOANews

Indonesia - Legislators view palm oil as strategic commodity for national economy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Several members of the House of Representatives (DPR), in their statements received by Antara, opined that the palm oil commodity holds strategic value as a source of foreign exchange and to support the national economy.

Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the DPR, Hasan Aminuddin, in a statement here, Wednesday, stated that the export value of palm oil products, including oleochemicals and biodiesel, reached around US$20 billion in 2019. AntaraNews

Colombia - BOGOTA: Production of palm oil in Colombia will rise this year to 1.65 million tonnes, a 10% uptick on last year because of increased output, the president of the producers' association said on Wednesday.
Colombia is the world's fourth-largest producer of the oil - used in foodstuffs, cosmetics and biofuels - behind Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Brecorder

Brazil - Opinion.  What if palm oil could save the Amazon?
The oil palm may be, with the soy, one of the most controversial and fastest growing crops in the last decade. In many tropical climate regions, from Malaysia to Peru, the proliferation of plantations has led to deforestation and conflicts over land. In Brazil, the Amazonian giant with 64% of the biome within its borders, oil production is, however, an economic alternative for a population with few opportunities, as well as a way to reforest pastures abandoned by the livestock industry, great jungle destruction vector. Pledgetimes

Unilever plans to remove oil-based ingredients from all cleaning products
The owner of Persil, Domestos and Cif is to invest €1bn in eliminating fossil fuel-based ingredients from its cleaning products by 2030.
Unilever’s “clean future” initiative aims to develop renewable or recycled alternatives to chemicals derived from the oil industry as part of the company’s pledge to eliminate carbon emissions from its products by 2039. TheGuardian

Indonesia  - ​Indonesia plans to complete two key tests for its domestically produced palm oil-based biodiesel by November this year, as the world’s top palm oil producing country prepares to move ahead with the 40 percent biodiesel blend (B40). The test involves running two static diesel engines on the lower-emission fuel for 1,000 hours inside the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s research and development lab, said lead researcher Sylvia Ayu Bethari on Aug. 26. TheJakartaPost

Indonesia - JAKARTA - Indonesia's oil and gas company PT Pertamina [PERTM.UL] estimates the country's total sales of biodiesel with 30% palm oil content will be at 28.2 million kilolitres (KL) this year, its director told parliament on Monday.

It would be 12% lower from last year's sales, Masud Khamid said. TodayOnline

Australia - Arnott’s launches new group structure and strategy
Arnott’s has marked an important milestone, launching a new corporate brand identity that unites its family of leading consumer food brands. The Arnott’s Group has been introduced to employees and stakeholders, celebrating the company’s rich history and bright future.

The launch of the new corporate brand coincided with Arnott’s strongest financial performance in recent years and the first since the sale of the business to investment firm, KKR, in December 2019. FoodMagAu

P&G - INVESTOR’S NEW SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTION DEMONSTRATES CONCERNS ABOUT P&G FUELING DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION
The pressure on consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble to stop fueling forest destruction just ratcheted up to a new level. On Friday, the company published its 2020 proxy statement, in which Green Century Equity Fund, a P&G shareholder, filed a resolution calling on the company to act quickly to eliminate deforestation and intact forest degradation from its supply chain. NRDC