News on Palm Oil. October 2022
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Read curated news that impacts the global palm oil industry.
CSPO Watch News. Making it easy for you to monitor the palm oil industry
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October 31, 2022
Congo Investments on the Rise – Top Sectors to Watch
For many years, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) was noted for its large natural resource wealth but underperforming industrial sector. Today, the narrative is gradually shifting as the local economy recovers. According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) most current annual report, Congo’s economy rebounded by 6.2 percent in 2021, up from 1.7 percent in 2020. This result was significantly higher than Sub-Saharan Africa’s overall growth rate of 4.5 percent.
Congo’s strong mining and service sectors are responsible for the country’s revival. International oil and natural gas dealers frequent this Central African country. One of the fastest expanding sectors, hydrocarbons currently deliver 25,000 barrels per day to global markets. Every year, new oil deposits are discovered, and as a whole about 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas and methane are present in the country. The enormous oil reserves draw international investment.
In addition, the low-profile country has established itself as a center for both domestic and foreign speculators. Other than the hydrocarbon industry, the following industries are at the top of the list of those attracting the most investment in Congo: APN News
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(OPINION)-Brexit Britain should strike trade deal with Indonesia, says Dr MUSDALIFAH MACHMUD
The United Kingdom's renewed focus on stability is the right approach for difficult economic times - but it will also need growth. The UK is a historically-famous trading economy, and global trade needs a strong champion right now.
As the UK pushes ahead with its economic recovery from the double hit of COVID and the war in Ukraine it’s essential for Rishi Sunak’s government to leverage new trading relationships around the world. Indonesia is an obvious partner in this effort. Daily Express
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Malaysia-Palm rises over 4% after Russia pulls out of Black Sea export corridor
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian palm oil futures jumped more than 4% on Monday, rebounding from last week’s losses after Russia withdrew from a Black Sea export deal, which may hurt global grain and sunflower oil supplies.
The benchmark palm oil contract for January delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 186 ringgit, or 4.66%, to 4,175 ringgit ($883.50) a tonne by the midday break.
Russia on Saturday suspended participation in a UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal, after what it said was a major Ukrainian drone attack on its fleet in Crimea, dealing a blow to attempts to ease the global food crisis.
The move is likely to hit shipments to import-dependent countries, deepening a global food crisis and sparking gains in prices.
Clouds of uncertainty hover over exports of sunflower oil from Ukrainian ports, creating a potential bullish scenario for competing vegetable oils, especially soy and palm oil, said Anilkumar Bagani, research head of Mumbai-based vegetable oils broker Sunvin Group. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were up 2.3%. Business Recorder/ Reuters
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India-Telangana’s ambitious palm oil strategy to help India reduce import
An 80km (49.7mile) road in Khammam district of the southern Indian state of Telangana is dotted with palm oil plantations on both sides.
Nagarjuna is among several farmers here who have been planting saplings of the oil palm tree in their fields this season.
The 50-year-old had suffered huge losses last year from rice cultivation on his four-acre (1.4-hectare) farm. He hopes that oil palm will help him return to profit. He says at least 50 other farmers in his village have made the same switch recently.
They are part of a growing number of farmers who are joining the state's ambitious plan to become India's palm oil hub. Since 2014, the land under palm oil cultivation here has grown from 34,000 acres to 72,000 acres in 2022.
The farmers are inspired by the huge profits made by plantation owners like Narayana Rao. Mr Rao, who is from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh state, began cultivating oil palm eight years ago on his 30-acre (12.14-hectare) field in Khammam and says he has made a profit of more than 4m rupees ($48,705; £43,802).
"The lifespan of an oil palm crop is roughly 30 years. I am 72. I don't think I'll uproot these plants in my lifetime," he says. BBC
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Congo Investments on the Rise – Top Sectors to Watch
For many years, the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) was noted for its large natural resource wealth but underperforming industrial sector. Today, the narrative is gradually shifting as the local economy recovers. According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) most current annual report, Congo’s economy rebounded by 6.2 percent in 2021, up from 1.7 percent in 2020. This result was significantly higher than Sub-Saharan Africa’s overall growth rate of 4.5 percent.
Congo’s strong mining and service sectors are responsible for the country’s revival. International oil and natural gas dealers frequent this Central African country. One of the fastest expanding sectors, hydrocarbons currently deliver 25,000 barrels per day to global markets. Every year, new oil deposits are discovered, and as a whole about 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas and methane are present in the country. The enormous oil reserves draw international investment.
In addition, the low-profile country has established itself as a center for both domestic and foreign speculators. Other than the hydrocarbon industry, the following industries are at the top of the list of those attracting the most investment in Congo: APN News
----------
(OPINION)-Brexit Britain should strike trade deal with Indonesia, says Dr MUSDALIFAH MACHMUD
The United Kingdom's renewed focus on stability is the right approach for difficult economic times - but it will also need growth. The UK is a historically-famous trading economy, and global trade needs a strong champion right now.
As the UK pushes ahead with its economic recovery from the double hit of COVID and the war in Ukraine it’s essential for Rishi Sunak’s government to leverage new trading relationships around the world. Indonesia is an obvious partner in this effort. Daily Express
---------
Malaysia-Palm rises over 4% after Russia pulls out of Black Sea export corridor
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian palm oil futures jumped more than 4% on Monday, rebounding from last week’s losses after Russia withdrew from a Black Sea export deal, which may hurt global grain and sunflower oil supplies.
The benchmark palm oil contract for January delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 186 ringgit, or 4.66%, to 4,175 ringgit ($883.50) a tonne by the midday break.
Russia on Saturday suspended participation in a UN-brokered Black Sea grain deal, after what it said was a major Ukrainian drone attack on its fleet in Crimea, dealing a blow to attempts to ease the global food crisis.
The move is likely to hit shipments to import-dependent countries, deepening a global food crisis and sparking gains in prices.
Clouds of uncertainty hover over exports of sunflower oil from Ukrainian ports, creating a potential bullish scenario for competing vegetable oils, especially soy and palm oil, said Anilkumar Bagani, research head of Mumbai-based vegetable oils broker Sunvin Group. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were up 2.3%. Business Recorder/ Reuters
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India-Telangana’s ambitious palm oil strategy to help India reduce import
An 80km (49.7mile) road in Khammam district of the southern Indian state of Telangana is dotted with palm oil plantations on both sides.
Nagarjuna is among several farmers here who have been planting saplings of the oil palm tree in their fields this season.
The 50-year-old had suffered huge losses last year from rice cultivation on his four-acre (1.4-hectare) farm. He hopes that oil palm will help him return to profit. He says at least 50 other farmers in his village have made the same switch recently.
They are part of a growing number of farmers who are joining the state's ambitious plan to become India's palm oil hub. Since 2014, the land under palm oil cultivation here has grown from 34,000 acres to 72,000 acres in 2022.
The farmers are inspired by the huge profits made by plantation owners like Narayana Rao. Mr Rao, who is from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh state, began cultivating oil palm eight years ago on his 30-acre (12.14-hectare) field in Khammam and says he has made a profit of more than 4m rupees ($48,705; £43,802).
"The lifespan of an oil palm crop is roughly 30 years. I am 72. I don't think I'll uproot these plants in my lifetime," he says. BBC
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October 30, 2022
Indonesia-Why developing nations are fighting Europe’s deforestation-free regulation
In late July 2022, ambassadors of 14 producing countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia signed a joint letter urging leaders of European Union institutions to reconsider the “‘discriminatory and punitive” nature of its proposed deforestation-free regulation. The draft law aims to ensure that only deforestation-free products are sold on the EU market. Operators and traders must prove that wood, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, cattle and soy were not grown or harvested from land deforested after Dec. 31, 2020, even if it is considered legally produced in its country of origin. This also applies to their derivative goods such as leather, chocolate and furniture. The Jakarta Post
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Africa-IFAD to empower 25,550 women, youths in Niger-Delta
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is set to empower 25,550 women and youth entrepreneur, under the Federal Government/IFAD- Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger-Delta (FG/IFAD-LIFE-ND).
Country Director, IFAD Nigeria, Ms Dede Ekoue, said this at the ongoing 3rd Joint Supervision Mission workshop on LIFE-ND project, on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the project was targeted at nine states, including Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo as well as Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Ekoue also said that the project was expected to fund three states of Rivers, Imo and Akwa Ibom.
According to her, the project is aimed at promoting agribusiness development and rural enterprise among youth and women in a sustainable manner in the Niger- Delta region in seven value chains of cassava, rice, plantain, cocoa, fishery, palm oil and poultry.
“The programme aims to promote 25,550 youths and women entrepreneurs in IFAD-funded states by 2025,” she said, adding that it would bring innovation that was in its incubation model.
The IFAD country coordinator said that the project would allow youths and women to learn from experienced agri-preneurs on the setting up and management of a sustainable and profitable agri-business that would create job for themselves and others. NAN News
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Africa’s Commitment To Policy, Process And People To Protect Forests And Livelihoods
As we approach CoP27, African governments, as guardians of some of the most diverse tropical forests in the world, recognise their duty to the continent’s nature, its people, as well as the climate.
The Tropical Forest Alliance African Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) regional agreement was the first of its kind in Africa for agricultural commodity production. The principles laid out in the Marrakesh Declaration on Responsible Palm Oil Development in Africa, signed at CoP22 (2016) acknowledge the role of agricultural commodity development as a driver of deforestation, and then commits governments to a set of shared principles for sustainable development of palm oil.
Implementation of the commitments through APOI over the last six years has led to significant progress in ten countries in West and Central Africa that account for 25% of the world’s tropical forest and 75% of Africa’s forests including the Congo Basin, absolutely critical for regional and global climate stability. Marked at CoP26, to observe five years of the Marrakesh Declaration, these include establishing governance for international investment; inclusion of marginalised groups and protection of indigenous rights; and investment in smallholders to boost productivity.
The principles of the Marrakesh Declaration are applicable across other agricultural commodities including cocoa, rubber and timber. At CoP27, these ten countries will come together again to sign an expanded declaration for the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI). Africa
Indonesia-Why developing nations are fighting Europe’s deforestation-free regulation
In late July 2022, ambassadors of 14 producing countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia signed a joint letter urging leaders of European Union institutions to reconsider the “‘discriminatory and punitive” nature of its proposed deforestation-free regulation. The draft law aims to ensure that only deforestation-free products are sold on the EU market. Operators and traders must prove that wood, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, cattle and soy were not grown or harvested from land deforested after Dec. 31, 2020, even if it is considered legally produced in its country of origin. This also applies to their derivative goods such as leather, chocolate and furniture. The Jakarta Post
---------
Africa-IFAD to empower 25,550 women, youths in Niger-Delta
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is set to empower 25,550 women and youth entrepreneur, under the Federal Government/IFAD- Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger-Delta (FG/IFAD-LIFE-ND).
Country Director, IFAD Nigeria, Ms Dede Ekoue, said this at the ongoing 3rd Joint Supervision Mission workshop on LIFE-ND project, on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the project was targeted at nine states, including Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Ondo as well as Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Ekoue also said that the project was expected to fund three states of Rivers, Imo and Akwa Ibom.
According to her, the project is aimed at promoting agribusiness development and rural enterprise among youth and women in a sustainable manner in the Niger- Delta region in seven value chains of cassava, rice, plantain, cocoa, fishery, palm oil and poultry.
“The programme aims to promote 25,550 youths and women entrepreneurs in IFAD-funded states by 2025,” she said, adding that it would bring innovation that was in its incubation model.
The IFAD country coordinator said that the project would allow youths and women to learn from experienced agri-preneurs on the setting up and management of a sustainable and profitable agri-business that would create job for themselves and others. NAN News
----------
Africa’s Commitment To Policy, Process And People To Protect Forests And Livelihoods
As we approach CoP27, African governments, as guardians of some of the most diverse tropical forests in the world, recognise their duty to the continent’s nature, its people, as well as the climate.
The Tropical Forest Alliance African Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) regional agreement was the first of its kind in Africa for agricultural commodity production. The principles laid out in the Marrakesh Declaration on Responsible Palm Oil Development in Africa, signed at CoP22 (2016) acknowledge the role of agricultural commodity development as a driver of deforestation, and then commits governments to a set of shared principles for sustainable development of palm oil.
Implementation of the commitments through APOI over the last six years has led to significant progress in ten countries in West and Central Africa that account for 25% of the world’s tropical forest and 75% of Africa’s forests including the Congo Basin, absolutely critical for regional and global climate stability. Marked at CoP26, to observe five years of the Marrakesh Declaration, these include establishing governance for international investment; inclusion of marginalised groups and protection of indigenous rights; and investment in smallholders to boost productivity.
The principles of the Marrakesh Declaration are applicable across other agricultural commodities including cocoa, rubber and timber. At CoP27, these ten countries will come together again to sign an expanded declaration for the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI). Africa
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October 28, 2022
Why Brasil BioFuels will invest US$400mn in a biorefinery
Brasil BioFuels (BBF) will invest 2.2bn reais (US$410mn) in a biorefinery in Manaus, Amazonas state, focused on green diesel (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
With construction scheduled to start in 2023, the plant will have annual production capacity of 500Ml of biofuels made from palm oil harvested in Brazil's Amazon region.
In partnership with Topsoe, BBF will adopt hydroprocessing technology that allows the gases and liquids from the output process to be recycled and reused to produce hydrogen that will be used in the processing of the new biofuels.
The offtaker is Vibra Energia, the country's main fuel distributor, BBF CEO Milton Steagall tells BNamericas in this interview. He also talks about the investment decision and the company’s plans.
BNamericas: Why did you decide to make the investment in the biorefinery at this time? BNAmericas
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Indonesia-Mineral-hungry China triples Indonesian investments as Jakarta pushes downstream processing
Foreign direct investment from China to Southeast Asia’s biggest economy reached US$1.56 billion between July and September, according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Investment, a steep rise from US$595.61 million in the same period last year.
More than 1,150 new Chinese investment projects were recorded in the last quarter, official data showed. Analysts said most were for downstream projects, refining minerals such as nickel before sale back to factories in China.
“A key area of investment by Chinese firms is into Indonesia’s nickel smelting and downstream processing industries,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist with S&P Global Market Intelligence. SCMP
---------
Africa-Facts About The Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) & The Evolution And Expansion To The Africa Sustainable Commodity Initiative (ASCI)While native to Africa, the majority of oil palm is produced in Southeast Asia. With increasing domestic and international demand, the need to develop the industry in Africa was clear. However, it had to be done in a responsible way, contributing to improved food security and better livelihoods for millions of Africans, while protecting West and Central Africa’s remaining rainforests.
The Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI)
This led to the establishment of the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) in 2014, a multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together government, companies and communities in ten palm oil-producing countries. APOI was established with the vision to create a prosperous palm oil industry that brings jobs and wealth to local communities in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable and protects the rich tropical forests of the region.
APOI provides a framework for governments to engage with local communities and the private sector, while giving companies a channel to fulfil their commitments to reduce commodity-driven deforestation.
These ten countries in Central and West Africa account for 25% of global tropical forests, and more than 75% of Africa’s forests: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone.
Roadmap to CoP27 Africa
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Europe-Embracing A Sustainable Choice At SPOD 2022 Event
The need for greater communication and collaboration were among the core topics for discussion at the European Sustainable Palm Oil Dialogue, which took place in the Netherlands last week.
The annual Sustainable Palm Oil Dialogue Europe conference took place in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, last week, welcoming industry decision makers, academics and NGOs for a fascinating day of debate and discussion on what is required to increase physical sourcing of sustainable palm oil into industry supply chains.
Organised by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), along with the European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA) and IDH, this year’s conference was the fourth of its type, and saw the launch of the Sustainable Palm Oil Dialogue Manifesto, calling for consumer goods manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers to strengthen their commitment for certified sustainable palm oil. ESM Magazine
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Solidaridad raises the bar on traceability with a container of coffee beans from Honduras
FIRST CONTAINER OF 100% TRACEABLE HONDURAN COFFEE SETS SAIL THROUGH RECLAIM SUSTAINABILITY! PLATFORM
In the coffee industry, the story of the coffee we consume is largely unknown. The RECLAIM Sustainability! Programme is flipping the script to make sustainable and inclusive trade the norm. Traceable supply chains help achieve that aim. In August 2022, coffee producers in Honduras shipped their first container of 100% traceable coffee through the platform.
This first container of Honduran coffee making its way to Scotland is the result of work by Solidaridad, in alliance with Cooperativa Cafetalera Capucas, Fairfood and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The traceability component, first launched in June 2021, will allow consumers to know who produced the coffee and what the producer earned from it. Follow along to learn how we’re making it possible.
RECLAIM Sustainability! is a 5-year programme (2021-2025) that aims to foster genuine and inclusive sustainability in global value chains. The programme works to ensure that the rights of producers, workers and citizens are respected and heard in decision-making. Traceability doesn’t just provide consumers with nice stories, it helps producers understand the value of their work and produce. In this way, the coffee sector can be reformed into a more sustainable one. Solidaridad Network
---------
October 27, 2022
Businesses must first admit their part in biodiversity loss to be able to fight it
More than 330 large companies from 56 countries have called for mandatory biodiversity risk disclosures
With little to no progress made in halting and reversing catastrophic biodiversity loss in the past few years, hundreds of companies have stepped up demands for regulations to increase transparency and accountability.
Businesses must be compelled to “assess and disclose their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity by 2030,” more than 330 firms and financial institutions from 56 countries said in an open letter published today (Oct. 26), organized by the Business for Nature coalition and addressed to world leaders. The signatories include Sweden’s furniture giants IKEA, India’s Tata Steel, and French international banking group BNP Paribas, among others.
As some large businesses demand regulations, other big companies have been linked to lobbying attempts to resist such laws. Currently, any biodiversity reportage is largely voluntary and scattered. The statement is urging governments “to transform the rules of the economic game and require business to act now” before COP15 in Montreal in December, where the new Global Biodiversity Framework will be formed. Quartz
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Ivory Coast starts construction on first biomass power plant
AYEBO, Ivory Coast, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast has started construction on its first biomass-fired power generation plant, a 46 megawatt (MW) project backed by France's EDF (EDF.PA), the company building it said on Monday.
The plant will cost over 200 million euros ($199 million) and is expected to be operational in three years, Raphael Ruat, managing director of BIOVEA Energie, told Reuters.
BIOVEA is owned by EDF, Ivory Coast's agro-industrial group SIFCA and French firm Meridiam. The project is being financed by Proparco and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.
The plant includes two 23 MW turbines that will run on around 520,000 tonnes of palm oil waste bought from farmers in Ayebo, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Abidjan.
The partners have said that the project could boost revenues of nearly 12,000 farmers by around 20% annually.
"It's a project that responds to the needs of Ivory Coast, which is facing a growing demand in terms of energy," said Ruat. Reuters
Why Brasil BioFuels will invest US$400mn in a biorefinery
Brasil BioFuels (BBF) will invest 2.2bn reais (US$410mn) in a biorefinery in Manaus, Amazonas state, focused on green diesel (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
With construction scheduled to start in 2023, the plant will have annual production capacity of 500Ml of biofuels made from palm oil harvested in Brazil's Amazon region.
In partnership with Topsoe, BBF will adopt hydroprocessing technology that allows the gases and liquids from the output process to be recycled and reused to produce hydrogen that will be used in the processing of the new biofuels.
The offtaker is Vibra Energia, the country's main fuel distributor, BBF CEO Milton Steagall tells BNamericas in this interview. He also talks about the investment decision and the company’s plans.
BNamericas: Why did you decide to make the investment in the biorefinery at this time? BNAmericas
---------
Indonesia-Mineral-hungry China triples Indonesian investments as Jakarta pushes downstream processing
- Chinese investment into Indonesia reached US$1.56 billion between July and September, up from US$595.61 million a year earlier
- China leans heavily on imports from resource-rich Indonesia, which is seeking to have more of its minerals processed domestically
Foreign direct investment from China to Southeast Asia’s biggest economy reached US$1.56 billion between July and September, according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Investment, a steep rise from US$595.61 million in the same period last year.
More than 1,150 new Chinese investment projects were recorded in the last quarter, official data showed. Analysts said most were for downstream projects, refining minerals such as nickel before sale back to factories in China.
“A key area of investment by Chinese firms is into Indonesia’s nickel smelting and downstream processing industries,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist with S&P Global Market Intelligence. SCMP
---------
Africa-Facts About The Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) & The Evolution And Expansion To The Africa Sustainable Commodity Initiative (ASCI)While native to Africa, the majority of oil palm is produced in Southeast Asia. With increasing domestic and international demand, the need to develop the industry in Africa was clear. However, it had to be done in a responsible way, contributing to improved food security and better livelihoods for millions of Africans, while protecting West and Central Africa’s remaining rainforests.
The Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI)
This led to the establishment of the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) in 2014, a multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together government, companies and communities in ten palm oil-producing countries. APOI was established with the vision to create a prosperous palm oil industry that brings jobs and wealth to local communities in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable and protects the rich tropical forests of the region.
APOI provides a framework for governments to engage with local communities and the private sector, while giving companies a channel to fulfil their commitments to reduce commodity-driven deforestation.
These ten countries in Central and West Africa account for 25% of global tropical forests, and more than 75% of Africa’s forests: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone.
Roadmap to CoP27 Africa
---------
Europe-Embracing A Sustainable Choice At SPOD 2022 Event
The need for greater communication and collaboration were among the core topics for discussion at the European Sustainable Palm Oil Dialogue, which took place in the Netherlands last week.
The annual Sustainable Palm Oil Dialogue Europe conference took place in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, last week, welcoming industry decision makers, academics and NGOs for a fascinating day of debate and discussion on what is required to increase physical sourcing of sustainable palm oil into industry supply chains.
Organised by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), along with the European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA) and IDH, this year’s conference was the fourth of its type, and saw the launch of the Sustainable Palm Oil Dialogue Manifesto, calling for consumer goods manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers to strengthen their commitment for certified sustainable palm oil. ESM Magazine
---------
Solidaridad raises the bar on traceability with a container of coffee beans from Honduras
FIRST CONTAINER OF 100% TRACEABLE HONDURAN COFFEE SETS SAIL THROUGH RECLAIM SUSTAINABILITY! PLATFORM
In the coffee industry, the story of the coffee we consume is largely unknown. The RECLAIM Sustainability! Programme is flipping the script to make sustainable and inclusive trade the norm. Traceable supply chains help achieve that aim. In August 2022, coffee producers in Honduras shipped their first container of 100% traceable coffee through the platform.
This first container of Honduran coffee making its way to Scotland is the result of work by Solidaridad, in alliance with Cooperativa Cafetalera Capucas, Fairfood and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The traceability component, first launched in June 2021, will allow consumers to know who produced the coffee and what the producer earned from it. Follow along to learn how we’re making it possible.
RECLAIM Sustainability! is a 5-year programme (2021-2025) that aims to foster genuine and inclusive sustainability in global value chains. The programme works to ensure that the rights of producers, workers and citizens are respected and heard in decision-making. Traceability doesn’t just provide consumers with nice stories, it helps producers understand the value of their work and produce. In this way, the coffee sector can be reformed into a more sustainable one. Solidaridad Network
---------
October 27, 2022
Businesses must first admit their part in biodiversity loss to be able to fight it
More than 330 large companies from 56 countries have called for mandatory biodiversity risk disclosures
With little to no progress made in halting and reversing catastrophic biodiversity loss in the past few years, hundreds of companies have stepped up demands for regulations to increase transparency and accountability.
Businesses must be compelled to “assess and disclose their impacts and dependencies on biodiversity by 2030,” more than 330 firms and financial institutions from 56 countries said in an open letter published today (Oct. 26), organized by the Business for Nature coalition and addressed to world leaders. The signatories include Sweden’s furniture giants IKEA, India’s Tata Steel, and French international banking group BNP Paribas, among others.
As some large businesses demand regulations, other big companies have been linked to lobbying attempts to resist such laws. Currently, any biodiversity reportage is largely voluntary and scattered. The statement is urging governments “to transform the rules of the economic game and require business to act now” before COP15 in Montreal in December, where the new Global Biodiversity Framework will be formed. Quartz
---------
Ivory Coast starts construction on first biomass power plant
AYEBO, Ivory Coast, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast has started construction on its first biomass-fired power generation plant, a 46 megawatt (MW) project backed by France's EDF (EDF.PA), the company building it said on Monday.
The plant will cost over 200 million euros ($199 million) and is expected to be operational in three years, Raphael Ruat, managing director of BIOVEA Energie, told Reuters.
BIOVEA is owned by EDF, Ivory Coast's agro-industrial group SIFCA and French firm Meridiam. The project is being financed by Proparco and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.
The plant includes two 23 MW turbines that will run on around 520,000 tonnes of palm oil waste bought from farmers in Ayebo, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Abidjan.
The partners have said that the project could boost revenues of nearly 12,000 farmers by around 20% annually.
"It's a project that responds to the needs of Ivory Coast, which is facing a growing demand in terms of energy," said Ruat. Reuters
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October 26, 2022
EU-FEDIOL released its 2021 monitoring report on palm oil used at its member plants
Constant share of certified sustainable palm oil used in the EU
Brussels, 26 October 2022 – The share of certified sustainable palm oil processed
by FEDIOL members in 2021 remained roughly unchanged at around 64,5% in a
context of a maintained downwards trend of overall palm oil use in Europe. For
palm kernel oil, the absolute share of certified sustainable palm kernel oil lost 4%
points while the total volumes of palm kernel oil used, decreased only 1% on the
previous year.
FEDIOL members refined in 2021 a total volume of 3.27 million tons of palm oil. This
represents a further drop of -2.1% from the 2020 volumes and implies a continuation of
the downwards trend registered in 2019. Similarly, total certified sustainable palm oil
volumes reached 2.1 million tons and decreased by -2.6%.
Concerning palm kernel oil, the monitoring figures show that the total palm kernel oil refined by FEDIOL members in 2021 amounted to 347.000 tons, a slight -1% decrease from 2020, while total certified sustainable palm kernel oil volumes faced a more sizable decrease of 10% over the same period.
Traceability up to the mills where palm fruits are processed, for both palm oil and palm
kernel oil, remains high reaching 99,6% and 100% respectively.
FEDIOL carries out, on an annual basis, a monitoring of the volumes of crude palm oil and
palm kernel oil entering the EU refining plants of FEDIOL member companies that
participate in the survey. The monitoring leaflet can be found on the FEDIOL website.
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Indonesia Sends Cars to Volcanic Highlands for Biodiesel Tests
Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, is testing to see whether vehicles can run effectively on diesel blended with 40% cooking oil, and if it works well at higher altitudes. A successful outcome would shift more local supply toward biofuel and curb exports.
(Bloomberg) — Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, is testing to see whether vehicles can run effectively on diesel blended with 40% cooking oil, and if it works well at higher altitudes. A successful outcome would shift more local supply toward biofuel and curb exports.
Six Toyota Innova minivans filled with 40% palm-based biodiesel are going to zoom across Java island in coming weeks. They set off from Dieng, an active volcanic area in central Java, on Wednesday to see if the tropical oil can adapt to higher altitudes. Palm normally tends to solidify at cooler temperatures.
Indonesia has been pushing to use a higher proportion of palm oil in biodiesel as a way to cut fossil-fuel imports, reduce emissions and absorb excess palm oil supply. The Southeast Asian nation currently requires vehicles to use a 30% blend, known as the B30 mandate, and is trying to increase that to B40.
If successful, the move would divert more palm oil toward biofuel and reduce supply available for exports. This has the potential to drive up global prices and increase cooking oil costs. Earlier this year, palm oil futures soared to a record when Indonesia banned exports to curb domestic inflation, and then tumbled as stockpiles overflowed and forced it to change course. Financial Post/Bloomberg
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Malaysia-Sime Darby Plantation aims for higher oil yield
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Plantation Bhd’s GenomeSelect (GS) seeds offer a promising future for the group, even though they are still in its nascent stages.
They hold the key to future organic growth given land scarcity, no deforestation commitment and rising cost pressures, according to CGS-CIMB Research.
The initial data from commercial planting in the Dusun Durian estate (coastal) and Diamond Jubilee (inland) have shown promising results, it said.
Dusun Durian recorded superior fresh fruit brunch (FFB) yields with 31.2 tonnes, 34.5 tonnes, 37.7 tonnes per ha for years one-to-three of harvesting.
For Diamond Jubilee, despite low rainfall of below 100mm per month from 2019-2020, the FFB yield harvested was reasonably good, at 15.8 tonnes, 10.2 tonnes, 20.6 tonnes per ha for one to three of harvesting.
The group has plans to double existing oil yields to eight tonnes per ha by 2050, it said. The StarMY
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Nigeria-RSPO commits $300,000 to boost palm oil production in Edo
THE global Roundtable on Sustainable Oil Palm (RSPO), is committing 300,000 dollars to the implementation of its oil palm community engagement and outreach programme in Edo.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joseph D’Cruz made the declaration at the launch of the RSPO Community Outreach and Engagement Programme in Benin on Monday.
The programme would be implemented in 20 months, Mr Inke van der Sluijs, Represented by the Global Director of Market Transformation at the RSPO, who represented D’Cruz at the launch, said.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that RSPO is a membership-based organisation that unites all stakeholders in the palm oil sector from growers to marketers.
It has more than 5,400 members in more than 100 countries.
D’Cruz said RSPO had developed standards for growers, Independent Smallholder (ISH) and the supply chain adding that of the global supply of palm oil, 19 per cent was RSPO certified.
“We have high expectations about this programme for which we have allocated 300,000 USD.
“In other countries, we have invested in smallholder programmes through our Smallholder Support Fund (RSSF).
“These programmes typically improve yields and lowered costs of production and therefore generated more income for farmers.
“The funds help in building capacity and knowledge on best management practices. Business TodayNG
EU-FEDIOL released its 2021 monitoring report on palm oil used at its member plants
Constant share of certified sustainable palm oil used in the EU
Brussels, 26 October 2022 – The share of certified sustainable palm oil processed
by FEDIOL members in 2021 remained roughly unchanged at around 64,5% in a
context of a maintained downwards trend of overall palm oil use in Europe. For
palm kernel oil, the absolute share of certified sustainable palm kernel oil lost 4%
points while the total volumes of palm kernel oil used, decreased only 1% on the
previous year.
FEDIOL members refined in 2021 a total volume of 3.27 million tons of palm oil. This
represents a further drop of -2.1% from the 2020 volumes and implies a continuation of
the downwards trend registered in 2019. Similarly, total certified sustainable palm oil
volumes reached 2.1 million tons and decreased by -2.6%.
Concerning palm kernel oil, the monitoring figures show that the total palm kernel oil refined by FEDIOL members in 2021 amounted to 347.000 tons, a slight -1% decrease from 2020, while total certified sustainable palm kernel oil volumes faced a more sizable decrease of 10% over the same period.
Traceability up to the mills where palm fruits are processed, for both palm oil and palm
kernel oil, remains high reaching 99,6% and 100% respectively.
FEDIOL carries out, on an annual basis, a monitoring of the volumes of crude palm oil and
palm kernel oil entering the EU refining plants of FEDIOL member companies that
participate in the survey. The monitoring leaflet can be found on the FEDIOL website.
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Indonesia Sends Cars to Volcanic Highlands for Biodiesel Tests
Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, is testing to see whether vehicles can run effectively on diesel blended with 40% cooking oil, and if it works well at higher altitudes. A successful outcome would shift more local supply toward biofuel and curb exports.
(Bloomberg) — Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil producer, is testing to see whether vehicles can run effectively on diesel blended with 40% cooking oil, and if it works well at higher altitudes. A successful outcome would shift more local supply toward biofuel and curb exports.
Six Toyota Innova minivans filled with 40% palm-based biodiesel are going to zoom across Java island in coming weeks. They set off from Dieng, an active volcanic area in central Java, on Wednesday to see if the tropical oil can adapt to higher altitudes. Palm normally tends to solidify at cooler temperatures.
Indonesia has been pushing to use a higher proportion of palm oil in biodiesel as a way to cut fossil-fuel imports, reduce emissions and absorb excess palm oil supply. The Southeast Asian nation currently requires vehicles to use a 30% blend, known as the B30 mandate, and is trying to increase that to B40.
If successful, the move would divert more palm oil toward biofuel and reduce supply available for exports. This has the potential to drive up global prices and increase cooking oil costs. Earlier this year, palm oil futures soared to a record when Indonesia banned exports to curb domestic inflation, and then tumbled as stockpiles overflowed and forced it to change course. Financial Post/Bloomberg
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Malaysia-Sime Darby Plantation aims for higher oil yield
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Plantation Bhd’s GenomeSelect (GS) seeds offer a promising future for the group, even though they are still in its nascent stages.
They hold the key to future organic growth given land scarcity, no deforestation commitment and rising cost pressures, according to CGS-CIMB Research.
The initial data from commercial planting in the Dusun Durian estate (coastal) and Diamond Jubilee (inland) have shown promising results, it said.
Dusun Durian recorded superior fresh fruit brunch (FFB) yields with 31.2 tonnes, 34.5 tonnes, 37.7 tonnes per ha for years one-to-three of harvesting.
For Diamond Jubilee, despite low rainfall of below 100mm per month from 2019-2020, the FFB yield harvested was reasonably good, at 15.8 tonnes, 10.2 tonnes, 20.6 tonnes per ha for one to three of harvesting.
The group has plans to double existing oil yields to eight tonnes per ha by 2050, it said. The StarMY
---------
Nigeria-RSPO commits $300,000 to boost palm oil production in Edo
THE global Roundtable on Sustainable Oil Palm (RSPO), is committing 300,000 dollars to the implementation of its oil palm community engagement and outreach programme in Edo.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joseph D’Cruz made the declaration at the launch of the RSPO Community Outreach and Engagement Programme in Benin on Monday.
The programme would be implemented in 20 months, Mr Inke van der Sluijs, Represented by the Global Director of Market Transformation at the RSPO, who represented D’Cruz at the launch, said.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that RSPO is a membership-based organisation that unites all stakeholders in the palm oil sector from growers to marketers.
It has more than 5,400 members in more than 100 countries.
D’Cruz said RSPO had developed standards for growers, Independent Smallholder (ISH) and the supply chain adding that of the global supply of palm oil, 19 per cent was RSPO certified.
“We have high expectations about this programme for which we have allocated 300,000 USD.
“In other countries, we have invested in smallholder programmes through our Smallholder Support Fund (RSSF).
“These programmes typically improve yields and lowered costs of production and therefore generated more income for farmers.
“The funds help in building capacity and knowledge on best management practices. Business TodayNG
October 25, 2022
INDONESIA'S OIL PALM PLANTATIONS BIGGER THAN DATA SHOWS
JAKARTA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Indonesia has found the overall size of its palm oil plantations is bigger than its database shows, among several initial findings of a state audit of the industry aimed at improving governance, a senior minister said on Monday.
The world's top palm oil producer launched the audit following a cooking oil supply scarcity at home, which led to palm oil exports being stopped for three weeks from late April, shocking the global vegetable oil market.
The audit could also help the industry boost its productivity, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told Reuters on Monday, adding Indonesia could produce 100 million tonnes of palm oil by 2040 if its replanting programme thrives.
The crude palm oil output was 46.9 million tonnes in 2021.
Authorities found Indonesia has 16.8 million hectare (41.5 million acres) of areas planted with palm oil, compared to its official figure of 16.38 million hectare during the audit's first stage, which has concluded, Luhut said. The government is collecting data on the size of each plantation, its land legality status, production level, and their palm oil selling prices, he said. Agriculture/ Reuters
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In New Project, Consumer Goods Companies Team Up With Palm Oil Companies to Fight Forced Labour in Malaysia
PARIS and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, October 24, 2022 /CSRwire/ - The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) has launched its People Positive Palm Project, designed to drive collaboration between consumer goods companies and palm oil suppliers in Malaysia to address the issue of forced labour in the Malaysian palm oil sector. The project was launched during a series of meetings and workshops in Kuala Lumpur, where HRC members, 13 participating Malaysian palm oil suppliers and other stakeholders met to kickstart the project.
Building on the CGF’s work around human rights concerns in the palm oil sector since 2015, the HRC has launched the People Positive Palm Project to bring multinational companies and palm oil suppliers together to address shared forced labour concerns in the palm oil industry. It aims to foster collective action and advocacy on key issues faced in this industry – including a focus on understanding, addressing, and preventing recruitment fees – with the support of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and The Remedy Project.
The primary objective of the People Positive Project is to address the root causes of forced labour in a sustainable and structural manner. The project seeks to support suppliers develop the management systems they need to ensure they have undertaken substantial efforts to address forced labour. As a result, the project offers two complementary tracks in which all palm oil suppliers with operations in Malaysia are invited to participate in based on their individual needs, focusing on: CSRWire
INDONESIA'S OIL PALM PLANTATIONS BIGGER THAN DATA SHOWS
JAKARTA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Indonesia has found the overall size of its palm oil plantations is bigger than its database shows, among several initial findings of a state audit of the industry aimed at improving governance, a senior minister said on Monday.
The world's top palm oil producer launched the audit following a cooking oil supply scarcity at home, which led to palm oil exports being stopped for three weeks from late April, shocking the global vegetable oil market.
The audit could also help the industry boost its productivity, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan told Reuters on Monday, adding Indonesia could produce 100 million tonnes of palm oil by 2040 if its replanting programme thrives.
The crude palm oil output was 46.9 million tonnes in 2021.
Authorities found Indonesia has 16.8 million hectare (41.5 million acres) of areas planted with palm oil, compared to its official figure of 16.38 million hectare during the audit's first stage, which has concluded, Luhut said. The government is collecting data on the size of each plantation, its land legality status, production level, and their palm oil selling prices, he said. Agriculture/ Reuters
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In New Project, Consumer Goods Companies Team Up With Palm Oil Companies to Fight Forced Labour in Malaysia
PARIS and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, October 24, 2022 /CSRwire/ - The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) has launched its People Positive Palm Project, designed to drive collaboration between consumer goods companies and palm oil suppliers in Malaysia to address the issue of forced labour in the Malaysian palm oil sector. The project was launched during a series of meetings and workshops in Kuala Lumpur, where HRC members, 13 participating Malaysian palm oil suppliers and other stakeholders met to kickstart the project.
Building on the CGF’s work around human rights concerns in the palm oil sector since 2015, the HRC has launched the People Positive Palm Project to bring multinational companies and palm oil suppliers together to address shared forced labour concerns in the palm oil industry. It aims to foster collective action and advocacy on key issues faced in this industry – including a focus on understanding, addressing, and preventing recruitment fees – with the support of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and The Remedy Project.
The primary objective of the People Positive Project is to address the root causes of forced labour in a sustainable and structural manner. The project seeks to support suppliers develop the management systems they need to ensure they have undertaken substantial efforts to address forced labour. As a result, the project offers two complementary tracks in which all palm oil suppliers with operations in Malaysia are invited to participate in based on their individual needs, focusing on: CSRWire
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October 24, 2022
Sustainability makes a comeback at IBIE 2022
Sustainability took center stage in conversations on the show floor at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) this year, albeit, in a new way. Historically, conversations around green initiatives focused on ingredient sourcing, energy-efficient equipment or biodegradable packaging materials. In 2022, this topic spilled over into areas other than simply making operations and packaging greener.
“Sustainability is back in a really big way,” said Dennis Gunnell, IBIE 2022 committee chair and president of Formost Fuji. “For Formost Fuji, the conversation that was being had in our booth around sustainability wasn’t so much ‘how is your equipment going to help us be more sustainable, but what is your company doing to be more sustainable?’ We heard more questions about sustainability in terms of company culture as potential customers look to do business with suppliers with similar values, and I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten that question before.” Baking Business
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Liberia-Vegetables and oil palm producers and merchants agree on climate-smart agriculture
A two-day forum aimed at discussing ways in which producers and sellers of vegetables, oil palm, and palm products can collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to improve their productivity has ended in Kakata, Margibi County.
The forum took place on October 18 and 19, 2022, and brought together more than 200 participants from across Liberia who are involved with the two value chains.
Climate-smart agriculture that includes best practices and the use of new technologies was decided as the way forward.
It was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), through its Smallholder Agriculture Transformation Revitalization and Agribusiness Project (STAR-P). The New Dawn
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Indonesia Exports Could Hit $300 Billion by 2024, Spurred by Resource 'Downstreaming'
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's exports could hit a record $280 billion this year, with nickel-based steel shipments rising sharply after the country banned nickel ore exports, while shipments of other commodities got a boost from high prices, a senior minister said on Monday.
Exports could rise further to top $300 billion by 2024 as the government prepares to regulate exports of other commodities, such as copper, bauxite and tin, to encourage investment in local downstream industries, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan, said in an interview.
Southeast Asia's largest economy has been enjoying an export boom for more than a year due to rising commodity prices, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal, palm oil, refined tin and a major seller of nickel-based steel, copper, rubber and other resources. US News/ Reuters
Sustainability makes a comeback at IBIE 2022
Sustainability took center stage in conversations on the show floor at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) this year, albeit, in a new way. Historically, conversations around green initiatives focused on ingredient sourcing, energy-efficient equipment or biodegradable packaging materials. In 2022, this topic spilled over into areas other than simply making operations and packaging greener.
“Sustainability is back in a really big way,” said Dennis Gunnell, IBIE 2022 committee chair and president of Formost Fuji. “For Formost Fuji, the conversation that was being had in our booth around sustainability wasn’t so much ‘how is your equipment going to help us be more sustainable, but what is your company doing to be more sustainable?’ We heard more questions about sustainability in terms of company culture as potential customers look to do business with suppliers with similar values, and I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten that question before.” Baking Business
---------
Liberia-Vegetables and oil palm producers and merchants agree on climate-smart agriculture
A two-day forum aimed at discussing ways in which producers and sellers of vegetables, oil palm, and palm products can collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to improve their productivity has ended in Kakata, Margibi County.
The forum took place on October 18 and 19, 2022, and brought together more than 200 participants from across Liberia who are involved with the two value chains.
Climate-smart agriculture that includes best practices and the use of new technologies was decided as the way forward.
It was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), through its Smallholder Agriculture Transformation Revitalization and Agribusiness Project (STAR-P). The New Dawn
---------
Indonesia Exports Could Hit $300 Billion by 2024, Spurred by Resource 'Downstreaming'
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's exports could hit a record $280 billion this year, with nickel-based steel shipments rising sharply after the country banned nickel ore exports, while shipments of other commodities got a boost from high prices, a senior minister said on Monday.
Exports could rise further to top $300 billion by 2024 as the government prepares to regulate exports of other commodities, such as copper, bauxite and tin, to encourage investment in local downstream industries, Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Pandjaitan, said in an interview.
Southeast Asia's largest economy has been enjoying an export boom for more than a year due to rising commodity prices, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal, palm oil, refined tin and a major seller of nickel-based steel, copper, rubber and other resources. US News/ Reuters
October 23, 2022
India-CRB to host Sustainable Business Conference in New Delhi from Nov 2-4
New Delhi, Oct 22 (KNN) The Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) is all set to organise the 9th edition of its annual flagship Sustainable Business Conference in New Delhi from November 2-4, 2022.
The theme for this year’s conference is Prioritising Nature and People in Business to Create Measurable Impacts.
stakeholders to understand and deliberate on the opportunities and challenges of integrating sustainability in core business practices and strategies especially as economies and societies recover from COVID-19.
The conference will serve a forum to reflect on experiences of businesses in India and beyond to identify replicable models/approaches/experiences of pursuing climate goals, environmental impacts, biodiversity loss, inequality and diversity. KNN India
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India-Oil palm cultivation target to be scaled up to 1.76 lakh acres next year: Nirajan Reddy
Hyderabad: State Agriculture Minister S Nirajan Reddy said on Friday that the target of oil palm cultivation would be scaled up from the current 30,849 acres to 1.78 lakh acres by March 2023. The minister reviewed the progress of the oil palm, oil seeds and status of the rabi crops along with agriculture secretary Raghunandan Rao and other officials here.
The minister said the State was aiming to establish a stable agriculture sector to increase income for farmers and create large-scale livelihoods from the sector. Accordingly, the State wants to encourage new varieties of crops considering the changes taking place in the sector. Reddy said the government has given top priority to oil palm as part of encouraging oil seeds cultivation in Telangana. In all the State is targeting to grow oil palm on 20 lakh acres; It would not only yield thousands of crores in revenue to the State, but will also help in setting up industries for oil palm byproducts and to create jobs. The Hans India
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Malaysia-Report from Oils and Fats International Congress (OFIC) 2022
The Malaysian Oil Scientists' & Technologists' Association (MOSTA) 15th OFIC 2022 and Exhibition was held from 18-19 October 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Launched in 1994 it brings research scientists and technologists, academics, industrialists and government agencies together to review the latest technological progress. This year the theme was “Boosting the Potential of Oil Palm and Its Products.”
In his opening speech Academician Emeritus Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Augustine S. H. Ong, President, MOSTA, proposed the establishment of a strategic fund of RM20 million annually for three years to incentivise productivity improvements, technological developments and innovations across the oil palm industry, including the use of biomass for energy supply.
Mechanisation took centre stage with the keynote address on the first day by Prof SangBae Kim, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America on ”Robots With Physical Intelligence” where he demonstrated how challenging it is for robots to do what humans do and take for granted. The second day started on the same theme with Mr Helmy Othman Basha, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, Malaysia speaking on “The Great Leap Forward: Reimagining Plantations” where he shared that they have successfully mechanised several tasks across its Malaysian plantation operations and expects to eliminate the need for manual workers in all non-harvesting activities by the end of 2023. Also the company hopes to improve its land-to-man ratio to 1:17.5 or one worker for every 17.5 hectares by the end of 2024. The current industry average is one worker for every eight hectares.
The in demand OFIC Evening Forum was back, invariably moderated by Mr M R Chandran, Vice-President of MOSTA. The topic was Environmental Impacts of the palm oil industry: Addressing sustainability gaps on the road to net-zero carbon. The panel was made up of distinguished personalities from the region.
It was acknowledged that whilst the oil palm is a tree and a plantation is not a forest, the oil palm sequesters carbon dioxide and produces abundant biomass which is a key to closing the gap to net-zero. It was encouraging to see many plantation companies measuring their GHG emissions and taking steps to reduce their GHG emissions. More companies should collaborate and act.
The work in genomics of MPOB and Sime Darby Plantations came across very strongly. Dr Leslie Low Eng Ti of MPOB was able to use it to explain why oil palm yields have remained stagnant pointing the reason to high non-tenera contaminants. In this field one researcher was prominent during the Congress who besides presenting received a couple of awards viz the 2022 Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Augustine S H International Special Award on Innovations and Inventions in Palm Oil as well as the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. She is none other than Dr. Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi and her dedication to her work came across robustly in her acceptance speech which is an inspiration to aspiring researchers.
There were nearly 30 poster presentations and more than 20 virtual poster presentations. Academician Emeritus Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Augustine S. H. Ong was pleased to see so much work from young researchers as it bodes well for the palm oil industry and this year’s congress theme.
OFIC 2022 Evening Forum: Environmental Impacts of the Palm Oil Industry: Addressing Sustainability Gaps on the Road to Net Zero Carbon Moderator: Mr MR Chandran, Panel Members: Dr Julian McGill, LMC International, United Kingdom, Mr Jeremy Goon, Wilmar International Ltd, Singapore, Dr Harikrishna Kulaveerasingam, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Malaysia, Ir Qua Kiat Seng, Monash University, Malaysia, Dr Puah Chiew Wei, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, Indonesia, Dr Gary W, Theseira, Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC)
India-CRB to host Sustainable Business Conference in New Delhi from Nov 2-4
New Delhi, Oct 22 (KNN) The Centre for Responsible Business (CRB) is all set to organise the 9th edition of its annual flagship Sustainable Business Conference in New Delhi from November 2-4, 2022.
The theme for this year’s conference is Prioritising Nature and People in Business to Create Measurable Impacts.
stakeholders to understand and deliberate on the opportunities and challenges of integrating sustainability in core business practices and strategies especially as economies and societies recover from COVID-19.
The conference will serve a forum to reflect on experiences of businesses in India and beyond to identify replicable models/approaches/experiences of pursuing climate goals, environmental impacts, biodiversity loss, inequality and diversity. KNN India
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India-Oil palm cultivation target to be scaled up to 1.76 lakh acres next year: Nirajan Reddy
Hyderabad: State Agriculture Minister S Nirajan Reddy said on Friday that the target of oil palm cultivation would be scaled up from the current 30,849 acres to 1.78 lakh acres by March 2023. The minister reviewed the progress of the oil palm, oil seeds and status of the rabi crops along with agriculture secretary Raghunandan Rao and other officials here.
The minister said the State was aiming to establish a stable agriculture sector to increase income for farmers and create large-scale livelihoods from the sector. Accordingly, the State wants to encourage new varieties of crops considering the changes taking place in the sector. Reddy said the government has given top priority to oil palm as part of encouraging oil seeds cultivation in Telangana. In all the State is targeting to grow oil palm on 20 lakh acres; It would not only yield thousands of crores in revenue to the State, but will also help in setting up industries for oil palm byproducts and to create jobs. The Hans India
---------
Malaysia-Report from Oils and Fats International Congress (OFIC) 2022
The Malaysian Oil Scientists' & Technologists' Association (MOSTA) 15th OFIC 2022 and Exhibition was held from 18-19 October 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Launched in 1994 it brings research scientists and technologists, academics, industrialists and government agencies together to review the latest technological progress. This year the theme was “Boosting the Potential of Oil Palm and Its Products.”
In his opening speech Academician Emeritus Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Augustine S. H. Ong, President, MOSTA, proposed the establishment of a strategic fund of RM20 million annually for three years to incentivise productivity improvements, technological developments and innovations across the oil palm industry, including the use of biomass for energy supply.
Mechanisation took centre stage with the keynote address on the first day by Prof SangBae Kim, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America on ”Robots With Physical Intelligence” where he demonstrated how challenging it is for robots to do what humans do and take for granted. The second day started on the same theme with Mr Helmy Othman Basha, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, Malaysia speaking on “The Great Leap Forward: Reimagining Plantations” where he shared that they have successfully mechanised several tasks across its Malaysian plantation operations and expects to eliminate the need for manual workers in all non-harvesting activities by the end of 2023. Also the company hopes to improve its land-to-man ratio to 1:17.5 or one worker for every 17.5 hectares by the end of 2024. The current industry average is one worker for every eight hectares.
The in demand OFIC Evening Forum was back, invariably moderated by Mr M R Chandran, Vice-President of MOSTA. The topic was Environmental Impacts of the palm oil industry: Addressing sustainability gaps on the road to net-zero carbon. The panel was made up of distinguished personalities from the region.
It was acknowledged that whilst the oil palm is a tree and a plantation is not a forest, the oil palm sequesters carbon dioxide and produces abundant biomass which is a key to closing the gap to net-zero. It was encouraging to see many plantation companies measuring their GHG emissions and taking steps to reduce their GHG emissions. More companies should collaborate and act.
The work in genomics of MPOB and Sime Darby Plantations came across very strongly. Dr Leslie Low Eng Ti of MPOB was able to use it to explain why oil palm yields have remained stagnant pointing the reason to high non-tenera contaminants. In this field one researcher was prominent during the Congress who besides presenting received a couple of awards viz the 2022 Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Augustine S H International Special Award on Innovations and Inventions in Palm Oil as well as the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. She is none other than Dr. Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi and her dedication to her work came across robustly in her acceptance speech which is an inspiration to aspiring researchers.
There were nearly 30 poster presentations and more than 20 virtual poster presentations. Academician Emeritus Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Augustine S. H. Ong was pleased to see so much work from young researchers as it bodes well for the palm oil industry and this year’s congress theme.
OFIC 2022 Evening Forum: Environmental Impacts of the Palm Oil Industry: Addressing Sustainability Gaps on the Road to Net Zero Carbon Moderator: Mr MR Chandran, Panel Members: Dr Julian McGill, LMC International, United Kingdom, Mr Jeremy Goon, Wilmar International Ltd, Singapore, Dr Harikrishna Kulaveerasingam, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Malaysia, Ir Qua Kiat Seng, Monash University, Malaysia, Dr Puah Chiew Wei, Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, Indonesia, Dr Gary W, Theseira, Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC)
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October 22, 2022
Why 'traditional' procurement practices are harming supply chains
A traditional procurement emphasis on maximising short-term profitability is harming smallholder farmers, a report found.
The report, by think tank Farmer Income Labs, said traditional procurement practices were creating risks to global food supply, security, quality and price.
“Traditional procurement practices, designed to maximise short-term profitability, are proving incapable of improving farmer incomes – instead increasing risk, depressing prices, and discouraging farmer investment in their farms,” said the report.
Moreover, a lack of resources forced farmers to lessen farm investment and use lower quality inputs. These factors reduced the productivity of their land and labour.
The report said: “Companies sourcing from smallholder farmers, either directly or indirectly, face multiple risks, including inadequacy of supply, unrecovered finance from input provision (due to ‘side-selling’), substandard quality of supply, the presence of harmful chemical, antibiotic or other contaminants in the delivered product, and a host of reputational risks associated with human rights issues such as child labour.” CIPS
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October 21, 2022
Malaysia-Sime Darby Plantations Mechanises and Automates Estate Operations
• All non-harvesting work to be mechanised by the end of 2023, reducing
the need for workers by 55%
• Malaysia operations to have 100% local workers by the end of 2027
• Tremendous push towards large scale automation in progress
Petaling Jaya, 21 October 2022 – In a watershed for the palm oil industry, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) announced that it has successfully mechanised several tasks across its Malaysian plantation operations. As a result of a broadscale initiative launched just two years ago, SDP expects to eliminate the need for manual workers in all non-
harvesting activities by the end of 2023.
“We expect to reduce the number of plantation workers by 55% by the end of 2023 and by the end of 2024, improve our land-to-man ratio to 1:17.5 or one worker for every 17.5 hectares (ha),” SDP Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said. The current industry average is one worker for every 8 ha. As dependence on manual labour decreases, SDP also expects to improve productivity.
Speaking at the annual Oils and Fats International Conference (OFIC) this week, organised by the Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association, Mohamad Helmy unveiled seven new initiatives, several of which are industry firsts that the company had developed internally or co-developed with start-ups and technology providers. Several of these initiatives have already been implemented across the Group’s Malaysian operations, while others are either in prototype or concept stage.
“After more than 100 years of working the same way, heavily dependent on manual and menial labour, our industry can finally move forward,” Mohamad Helmy said. Download SDP Press Release
Why 'traditional' procurement practices are harming supply chains
A traditional procurement emphasis on maximising short-term profitability is harming smallholder farmers, a report found.
The report, by think tank Farmer Income Labs, said traditional procurement practices were creating risks to global food supply, security, quality and price.
“Traditional procurement practices, designed to maximise short-term profitability, are proving incapable of improving farmer incomes – instead increasing risk, depressing prices, and discouraging farmer investment in their farms,” said the report.
Moreover, a lack of resources forced farmers to lessen farm investment and use lower quality inputs. These factors reduced the productivity of their land and labour.
The report said: “Companies sourcing from smallholder farmers, either directly or indirectly, face multiple risks, including inadequacy of supply, unrecovered finance from input provision (due to ‘side-selling’), substandard quality of supply, the presence of harmful chemical, antibiotic or other contaminants in the delivered product, and a host of reputational risks associated with human rights issues such as child labour.” CIPS
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October 21, 2022
Malaysia-Sime Darby Plantations Mechanises and Automates Estate Operations
• All non-harvesting work to be mechanised by the end of 2023, reducing
the need for workers by 55%
• Malaysia operations to have 100% local workers by the end of 2027
• Tremendous push towards large scale automation in progress
Petaling Jaya, 21 October 2022 – In a watershed for the palm oil industry, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (SDP) announced that it has successfully mechanised several tasks across its Malaysian plantation operations. As a result of a broadscale initiative launched just two years ago, SDP expects to eliminate the need for manual workers in all non-
harvesting activities by the end of 2023.
“We expect to reduce the number of plantation workers by 55% by the end of 2023 and by the end of 2024, improve our land-to-man ratio to 1:17.5 or one worker for every 17.5 hectares (ha),” SDP Group Managing Director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said. The current industry average is one worker for every 8 ha. As dependence on manual labour decreases, SDP also expects to improve productivity.
Speaking at the annual Oils and Fats International Conference (OFIC) this week, organised by the Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association, Mohamad Helmy unveiled seven new initiatives, several of which are industry firsts that the company had developed internally or co-developed with start-ups and technology providers. Several of these initiatives have already been implemented across the Group’s Malaysian operations, while others are either in prototype or concept stage.
“After more than 100 years of working the same way, heavily dependent on manual and menial labour, our industry can finally move forward,” Mohamad Helmy said. Download SDP Press Release
October 20, 2022
Consumer Goods Companies Team Up with Palm Oil Companies to Fight Forced Labour in Malaysia
PARIS and KUALA LUMPUR, 20th October 2022 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) has launched its People Positive Palm Project, designed to drive collaboration between consumer goods companies and palm oil suppliers in Malaysia to address the issue of forced labour in the Malaysian palm oil sector. The project was launched during a series of meetings and workshops in Kuala Lumpur, where HRC members, 13 participating Malaysian palm oil suppliers and other stakeholders met to kickstart the project.
Building on the CGF’s work around human rights concerns in the palm oil sector since 2015, the HRC has launched the People Positive Palm Project to bring multinational companies and palm oil suppliers together to address shared forced labour concerns in the palm oil industry. It aims to foster collective action and advocacy on key issues faced in this industry – including a focus on understanding, addressing, and preventing recruitment fees – with the support of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and The Remedy Project.
The primary objective of the People Positive Project is to address the root causes of forced labour in a sustainable and structural manner. The project seeks to support suppliers develop the management systems they need to ensure they have undertaken substantial efforts to address forced labour. As a result, the project offers two complementary tracks in which all palm oil suppliers with operations in Malaysia are invited to participate in based on their individual needs, focusing on: The Consumer Goods Forum
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The EU Deforestation Due Diligence Proposal: Key issues for the trilogue
On 17 November 2021, the European Commission (“Commission”) published a Proposal for a Regulation on placing on the EU market and exporting from the European Union wood, cattle (beef), cocoa, coffee, palm oil and soy and derived products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (“Proposed Regulation”). According to the Proposed Regulation, those products (irrespective of their origin) may no longer be placed or made available on the EU market or be exported from the EU market, unless they are deforestation-free.
The Proposed Regulation, which is subject to the ordinary legislative procedure, must be approved by the European Parliament (“Parliament”) and the Council of the European Union (“Council”). The Council and the Parliament have put forward amendments to the Proposed Regulation. The so-called trilogue discussions between the three institutions are ongoing with a view to agreeing on the final text of the Regulation.
The below table provides a comparative overview of the negotiating positions of the Commission, the Parliament and the Council, highlighting the key points of disagreement between the three institutions. Lexology
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Facts about the Africa Palm Oil Initiative
This led to the establishment of the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) in 2014, a multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together government, companies and communities in ten palm oil-producing countries.
APOI was established with the vision to create a prosperous palm oil industry that brings jobs and wealth to local communities in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable and protects the rich tropical forests of the region.
APOI provides a framework for governments to engage with local communities and the private sector, while giving companies a channel to fulfil their commitments to reduce commodity-driven deforestation.
These ten countries in Central and West Africa account for 25% of global tropical forests, and more than 75% of Africa’s forests: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone. Africa Feeds
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Consumer Goods Companies Team Up with Palm Oil Companies to Fight Forced Labour in Malaysia
PARIS and KUALA LUMPUR, 20th October 2022 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) has launched its People Positive Palm Project, designed to drive collaboration between consumer goods companies and palm oil suppliers in Malaysia to address the issue of forced labour in the Malaysian palm oil sector. The project was launched during a series of meetings and workshops in Kuala Lumpur, where HRC members, 13 participating Malaysian palm oil suppliers and other stakeholders met to kickstart the project.
Building on the CGF’s work around human rights concerns in the palm oil sector since 2015, the HRC has launched the People Positive Palm Project to bring multinational companies and palm oil suppliers together to address shared forced labour concerns in the palm oil industry. It aims to foster collective action and advocacy on key issues faced in this industry – including a focus on understanding, addressing, and preventing recruitment fees – with the support of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and The Remedy Project.
The primary objective of the People Positive Project is to address the root causes of forced labour in a sustainable and structural manner. The project seeks to support suppliers develop the management systems they need to ensure they have undertaken substantial efforts to address forced labour. As a result, the project offers two complementary tracks in which all palm oil suppliers with operations in Malaysia are invited to participate in based on their individual needs, focusing on: The Consumer Goods Forum
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The EU Deforestation Due Diligence Proposal: Key issues for the trilogue
On 17 November 2021, the European Commission (“Commission”) published a Proposal for a Regulation on placing on the EU market and exporting from the European Union wood, cattle (beef), cocoa, coffee, palm oil and soy and derived products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (“Proposed Regulation”). According to the Proposed Regulation, those products (irrespective of their origin) may no longer be placed or made available on the EU market or be exported from the EU market, unless they are deforestation-free.
The Proposed Regulation, which is subject to the ordinary legislative procedure, must be approved by the European Parliament (“Parliament”) and the Council of the European Union (“Council”). The Council and the Parliament have put forward amendments to the Proposed Regulation. The so-called trilogue discussions between the three institutions are ongoing with a view to agreeing on the final text of the Regulation.
The below table provides a comparative overview of the negotiating positions of the Commission, the Parliament and the Council, highlighting the key points of disagreement between the three institutions. Lexology
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Facts about the Africa Palm Oil Initiative
This led to the establishment of the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (APOI) in 2014, a multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together government, companies and communities in ten palm oil-producing countries.
APOI was established with the vision to create a prosperous palm oil industry that brings jobs and wealth to local communities in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable and protects the rich tropical forests of the region.
APOI provides a framework for governments to engage with local communities and the private sector, while giving companies a channel to fulfil their commitments to reduce commodity-driven deforestation.
These ten countries in Central and West Africa account for 25% of global tropical forests, and more than 75% of Africa’s forests: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Edo State (Nigeria), Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone. Africa Feeds
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October 19, 2022
Indonesia Eyes Sugarcane-Mixed Biofuel to Cut Emission
State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina Persero will begin selling A20 fuel, which is a mix of 80% gasoline, 15% methanol derived from natural gas and 5% ethanol derived from sugarcanes, Chief Executive Officer Nicke Widyawati said in an interview. It plans to source the bioethanol from state plantation holding firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara III.
While Pertamina’s sugar-based fuel plan has been mooted for sometime, the recent surge in crude prices and Indonesia’s renewed ambition for a net-zero emission by 2060 have hastened the move. In addition, the shift to biofuel will help Southeast Asia’s biggest economy curb fuel imports that account for about half the national demand.
Widyawati said Pertamina plans to lower emissions to at least 31.89% by 2030 from 29% currently under the business-as-usual scenario.
“We are actually more aggressive and ambitious than the government” in reducing emissions, she said in the interview in Bali. BNNBloomberg
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Unilever To Engage with Astra Agro Lestari, palm oil supplier accused of abuses
The decision not to eject Astra Agro Lestari from its supply chain reflects differing approaches to rooting out unethical behaviours in complex supply chains.
LONDON/JAKARTA/NEW YORK (Oct 18): Unilever is working with an Indonesian palm oil supplier accused of land-rights abuses and environmental harm to try to fix the problems highlighted by campaign groups and address the grievances of local communities.
Rather than walking away from third-party supplier Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, the London-listed maker of Dove soap will work with it to deal with complaints from groups that accuse the Indonesian company of grabbing land from indigenous communities, criminalising land defenders, polluting water supplies, and cutting down Indonesia's protected forests. The Edge Markets
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Malaysia-MPOC Supports enforcement action against "No Palm Oil" labels
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has voiced its support for enforcement actions to be taken against supermarkets and outlets displaying and selling products with ‘No Palm Oil’ on their label and packaging.
The use of discriminatory labels against palm oil is prohibited under the Trade Description Act 2011, and the penalty for the offence is a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
In a statement today, the MPOC said the discriminatory labels against palm oil can be found on food, personal care and household products.
Products that require the use of fats and oil, particularly vegetable oils, are the most common products found bearing such labels.
In 2021, the MPOC conducted a survey to identify products that bear discriminatory labels against palm oil in the Malaysian market, and out of 251 outlets surveyed in the Klang Valley, 80 outlets were found to carry products with ‘No Palm Oil’ labels.
Most of the outlets carrying such products are located in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur city centre and Cyberjaya.
The survey also found that 37 brands supported the anti-palm oil movement, where 204 product variations from 12 food product categories were found bearing such labels, including ice cream, snacks and cereals. The Sun Daily
Indonesia Eyes Sugarcane-Mixed Biofuel to Cut Emission
- Pertamina to start selling 20% ethanol-mixed gasoline in 2023
- Company quickens its emission reduction goal to 31.89% by 2030
State-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina Persero will begin selling A20 fuel, which is a mix of 80% gasoline, 15% methanol derived from natural gas and 5% ethanol derived from sugarcanes, Chief Executive Officer Nicke Widyawati said in an interview. It plans to source the bioethanol from state plantation holding firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara III.
While Pertamina’s sugar-based fuel plan has been mooted for sometime, the recent surge in crude prices and Indonesia’s renewed ambition for a net-zero emission by 2060 have hastened the move. In addition, the shift to biofuel will help Southeast Asia’s biggest economy curb fuel imports that account for about half the national demand.
Widyawati said Pertamina plans to lower emissions to at least 31.89% by 2030 from 29% currently under the business-as-usual scenario.
“We are actually more aggressive and ambitious than the government” in reducing emissions, she said in the interview in Bali. BNNBloomberg
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Unilever To Engage with Astra Agro Lestari, palm oil supplier accused of abuses
The decision not to eject Astra Agro Lestari from its supply chain reflects differing approaches to rooting out unethical behaviours in complex supply chains.
LONDON/JAKARTA/NEW YORK (Oct 18): Unilever is working with an Indonesian palm oil supplier accused of land-rights abuses and environmental harm to try to fix the problems highlighted by campaign groups and address the grievances of local communities.
Rather than walking away from third-party supplier Astra Agro Lestari Tbk, the London-listed maker of Dove soap will work with it to deal with complaints from groups that accuse the Indonesian company of grabbing land from indigenous communities, criminalising land defenders, polluting water supplies, and cutting down Indonesia's protected forests. The Edge Markets
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Malaysia-MPOC Supports enforcement action against "No Palm Oil" labels
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has voiced its support for enforcement actions to be taken against supermarkets and outlets displaying and selling products with ‘No Palm Oil’ on their label and packaging.
The use of discriminatory labels against palm oil is prohibited under the Trade Description Act 2011, and the penalty for the offence is a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
In a statement today, the MPOC said the discriminatory labels against palm oil can be found on food, personal care and household products.
Products that require the use of fats and oil, particularly vegetable oils, are the most common products found bearing such labels.
In 2021, the MPOC conducted a survey to identify products that bear discriminatory labels against palm oil in the Malaysian market, and out of 251 outlets surveyed in the Klang Valley, 80 outlets were found to carry products with ‘No Palm Oil’ labels.
Most of the outlets carrying such products are located in Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur city centre and Cyberjaya.
The survey also found that 37 brands supported the anti-palm oil movement, where 204 product variations from 12 food product categories were found bearing such labels, including ice cream, snacks and cereals. The Sun Daily
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October 18, 2022
Oriental to acquire plantation firms in Malaysia and Indonesia for RM1.2b
The deals would allow Oriental to more than double its landbank in Malaysia and take full control over its sizeable plantation landbank, with 4 palm oil mills in Indonesia
by HABHAJAN SINGH / pic source ohb.com.my
ORIENTAL Holdings Bhd’s plans to splurge a total of RM1.2 billion in a series of related party transactions did not bring about much excitement on its stock price. The company’s share price ended next day’s trading up five sen to close at RM6.44 last Friday, giving it a market capitalisation of close to RM4 billion.
Perhaps the investing public simply deemed the slew of deals — involving large tracts of oil palm estates in Malaysia and Indonesia, and some Mauritius-registered entity — as the conglomerate’s attempt to get a firm grip on the ground where it operates. The Malaysian Reserve
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Liberia: Operations At Mano Oil Palm Halted Amid Government’s ‘Failure’ To Resolve Stalemate Between Residents, Company
GBAH, Grand Cape Mount County – The Government of Liberia through its relevant agencies and ministries, has failed in its effort to amicably resolve the disagreement between the Mano Oil Palm Company and aggrieved residents of Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Mano Palm Oil Industry (MPOI), a subsidiary of Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO) took over the plantation from Sime Darby Liberia Plantation (SDPL) in 2020 following months of negotiation.
Sime Darby, which had operated one of the world’s largest oil palm companies by land size, left due to a series of challenges including a continued feud with residents of the affected communities which sometimes result in losses, similar to what is happening now.
Currently, all activities at the company have come to a standstill over demands from the Project Affected Communities (PACs).
The PAC, through its chairman, Mohammed Jaleiba, has been making a series of demands it says when not met, will lead the company to cease operation.
“The way forward is for the workers’ and the citizens’ demands to be met. There will be no work and operation in this plantation if our demands are not met,” said Jaliba. Front Page Africa
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India examining proposal to raise palm oil import tax
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, Oct 18 (Reuters) - India is examining whether there is a need to raise palm oil import taxes, government and trade sources said, as part of efforts by the world's biggest vegetable oil importer to help millions of its farmers reeling from lower oilseed prices.
Earlier this year, India abolished the basic import tax on crude palm oil (CPO) to keep a lid on prices. New Delhi continues with a 5% tax known as the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess on CPO imports. Reuters
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Bangladesh needs to double agricultural production by 2030: minister
Bangladesh must overcome the obstacles posed by climate change and achieve self-sufficiency in nutrition, says Md Shahab Uddin
Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin says Bangladesh must overcome the obstacles of climate change and meet the country’s food needs by doubling its agricultural production by 2030.
To do so, it needs to innovate and cultivate climate-tolerant crop varieties, expand modern farming methods and ensure the use of environment-friendly agricultural materials and practices, he said.
He also stressed the importance of agricultural product processing and value chain development. BDNews
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Just 14% of Pakistan’s Edible Oil Demand Met Locally: Report
The edible oil and ghee market of Pakistan is highly dependent entirely on imported on palm oil and the local sources have a share of only 14 percent in the total edible oil consumption.
A Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) report on the ghee and cooking oil industry released on Monday revealed that the rise in international prices of edible oil and oilseeds and exchange rate fluctuations have a key impact on domestic prices. It is also a market norm that the producers pass on any increase in the cost of the purchase to the end consumers.
The federal and provincial governments have launched an oilseed promotion initiative, where the growers of oilseed receive a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per acre to plant canola and sunflower up to 20 acres. Some planting increase has resulted from the subsidy however the expected increase did not occur due to competition from other crops such as wheat and sugarcane, receiving guaranteed support price. ProPakistani
Oriental to acquire plantation firms in Malaysia and Indonesia for RM1.2b
The deals would allow Oriental to more than double its landbank in Malaysia and take full control over its sizeable plantation landbank, with 4 palm oil mills in Indonesia
by HABHAJAN SINGH / pic source ohb.com.my
ORIENTAL Holdings Bhd’s plans to splurge a total of RM1.2 billion in a series of related party transactions did not bring about much excitement on its stock price. The company’s share price ended next day’s trading up five sen to close at RM6.44 last Friday, giving it a market capitalisation of close to RM4 billion.
Perhaps the investing public simply deemed the slew of deals — involving large tracts of oil palm estates in Malaysia and Indonesia, and some Mauritius-registered entity — as the conglomerate’s attempt to get a firm grip on the ground where it operates. The Malaysian Reserve
----------
Liberia: Operations At Mano Oil Palm Halted Amid Government’s ‘Failure’ To Resolve Stalemate Between Residents, Company
GBAH, Grand Cape Mount County – The Government of Liberia through its relevant agencies and ministries, has failed in its effort to amicably resolve the disagreement between the Mano Oil Palm Company and aggrieved residents of Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Mano Palm Oil Industry (MPOI), a subsidiary of Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO) took over the plantation from Sime Darby Liberia Plantation (SDPL) in 2020 following months of negotiation.
Sime Darby, which had operated one of the world’s largest oil palm companies by land size, left due to a series of challenges including a continued feud with residents of the affected communities which sometimes result in losses, similar to what is happening now.
Currently, all activities at the company have come to a standstill over demands from the Project Affected Communities (PACs).
The PAC, through its chairman, Mohammed Jaleiba, has been making a series of demands it says when not met, will lead the company to cease operation.
“The way forward is for the workers’ and the citizens’ demands to be met. There will be no work and operation in this plantation if our demands are not met,” said Jaliba. Front Page Africa
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India examining proposal to raise palm oil import tax
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, Oct 18 (Reuters) - India is examining whether there is a need to raise palm oil import taxes, government and trade sources said, as part of efforts by the world's biggest vegetable oil importer to help millions of its farmers reeling from lower oilseed prices.
Earlier this year, India abolished the basic import tax on crude palm oil (CPO) to keep a lid on prices. New Delhi continues with a 5% tax known as the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess on CPO imports. Reuters
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Bangladesh needs to double agricultural production by 2030: minister
Bangladesh must overcome the obstacles posed by climate change and achieve self-sufficiency in nutrition, says Md Shahab Uddin
Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin says Bangladesh must overcome the obstacles of climate change and meet the country’s food needs by doubling its agricultural production by 2030.
To do so, it needs to innovate and cultivate climate-tolerant crop varieties, expand modern farming methods and ensure the use of environment-friendly agricultural materials and practices, he said.
He also stressed the importance of agricultural product processing and value chain development. BDNews
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Just 14% of Pakistan’s Edible Oil Demand Met Locally: Report
The edible oil and ghee market of Pakistan is highly dependent entirely on imported on palm oil and the local sources have a share of only 14 percent in the total edible oil consumption.
A Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) report on the ghee and cooking oil industry released on Monday revealed that the rise in international prices of edible oil and oilseeds and exchange rate fluctuations have a key impact on domestic prices. It is also a market norm that the producers pass on any increase in the cost of the purchase to the end consumers.
The federal and provincial governments have launched an oilseed promotion initiative, where the growers of oilseed receive a subsidy of Rs. 5,000 per acre to plant canola and sunflower up to 20 acres. Some planting increase has resulted from the subsidy however the expected increase did not occur due to competition from other crops such as wheat and sugarcane, receiving guaranteed support price. ProPakistani
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October 16, 2022
World Sight Day stirs concerns on inclusive, affordable eye care
On October 13, stakeholders gathered across the world in celebration of World Sight Day to focus the world’s attention on eye health as a global issue. The theme for this year’s event was: “Love Your Eyes.’’
In commemoration of the event, board of Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Registration of Nigeria, prioritised eye-check, diagnosis and treatment for motorists due to the nature of their job.
Over the years, Rotary, several non-governmental organisations in Nigeria and other international NGOs intervened in creating more awareness and offering free treatment to many Nigerians.
The World Health Organisation noted that globally at least 2.2 billion people have vision impairment or blindness. It added that one billion cases of vision impairment could have been prevented or had yet to be addressed. Eye conditions affect people at all stages of life. However, young children and older people are the most vulnerable. Punch NG
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China-Airbus Delivers A320neo To China Eastern With 5% SAF
Sustainability has reached a new peak in China's aviation industry, as Airbus delivered a new Airbus A320neo, and the delivery flight was powered by a 5% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend. The aircraft took off from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Tianjin and was well-received by China Eastern Airlines.
China Eastern Airlines' introduction to SAF was years ago when it obtained the Number 1 Bio-Jet Fuel Chartered Flight License in April 2013, issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The first successful test flight used biofuel made from palm oil and flew for 85 minutes after departing from Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport.
However, the delivery flight of its latest Airbus A320neo was the first time SAF was used to deliver a single-aisle Airbus aircraft in China, opening the doors for the aircraft manufacturer to embark on a green journey within the country.
Unlike previous SAF delivery flights conducted by Airbus from Europe, the SAF used for the China Eastern Airlines delivery was purchased by the aircraft manufacturer from the China National Aviation Fuel Group. The SAF was then refined and produced by Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company, a state-owned fuel manufacturer in China. Simple Flying
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October 14, 2022
EU moves quickly to adopt law banning products contributing to deforestation ahead of UN Biodiversity Conference
The long-awaited second part of COP-15 this December, which is the continuation of the UN Biodiversity Conference from October 2021, has put the European Parliament and Council under pressure to finalise the draft Deforestation Regulation that was first announced on 17 November 2021. In this blog we look at the main outstanding issues that need to be ironed out in the EU before the draft regulation can be settled.
By way of recap, the regulation seeks to prohibit the use of certain products associated with deforestation internationally (known as ‘forest risk commodities’). The new law would make it mandatory for any company selling relevant goods in the European Union to verify that those goods have not been produced on deforested or degraded land. For those who missed our previous blogs on the proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products and its UK counterpart, see here and here.
At the end of September 2022, the first trilogue (a negotiation meeting between the Council, the Parliament’s rapporteur and the Environment Commissioner to try and agree on a final text) identified important differences between the positions of each EU institution:
What products should be in scope? The European Commission originally proposed six commodities which, along with products derived from said commodities, would be caught by the regulation: wood, palm oil, cattle, coffee, soy and cocoa. The Parliament wants to go further, adding corn, rubber, poultry, pork, goat meat and charcoal while the Council stuck to the Commission’s initial list. Any expansion of the listed commodities will result in many more industries being (directly or indirectly) caught by the provisions of the regulation. Already in its initial version, the scope stretches across diverse sectors such as food, garment, chemistry, pharma and cosmetics as well as renewable energy.
How should deforestation be defined? Lexology
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What Not to Do About Deforestation
Palm oil is becoming a target of the European Union's overzealous regulatory wrath. Several recent decisions, including the passing into law of the new Due Diligence Proposal, indicate that the EU is ultimately determined to exclude the benign vegetable oil from sale in Europe. In another significant development, by the year 2030, imports of palm oil for biofuel purposes will be banned under the Renewable Energy Directive II.
Palm oil is utilized in the production of many different types of food and personal care items in addition to being used as a fuel source. It has been used in a plethora of products for a long time without anybody noticing, thanks to its ability to mimic the properties of animal fats while maintaining its low price.
The European Union's (EU) opposition to palm oil is driven by ecological concerns. Europe's bureaucrats and regulators are feeling the heat after the COP26 climate summit pledged last year to cease and reverse deforestation by the end of the decade. Deadlines have already been missed. They want to place the blame on palm oil. Townhall
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East Malaysia’s CPO contribution surges to 46pc
KOTA KINABALU: East Malaysia’s contribution to Malaysia’s total crude palm oil (CPO) production has surged from 22 per cent in 1995 to 46 per cent in 2021, said Bursa Malaysia’s Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Chairman Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift.
He said the launch of the East Malaysia Crude Palm Oil Futures (Fepo) contract in October 2021 was a significant milestone in efforts to meet the hedging and trading needs of international edible oil players.
“The Fepo contract aims to provide greater price transparency for CPO in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The price transparency enabled by Fepo allows CPO producers to sell at a competitive price and for downstream players to better manage price fluctuations of their raw materials.
“Consequently, this will improve refining margins and competitiveness in selling end products to customers,” he said in his welcoming speech at the East Malaysia Palm and Lauric Oils Price Outlook conference and exhibition, here, Wednesday.
Also present were Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Deputy Minister Martin Ben and Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Acting Director Mohd Saleem Kader Bakas. Daily Express
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India's palm oil imports from Malaysia up 21% in September
NEW DELHI (Oct 14): India's palm oil imports from Malaysia grew by more than 21% last month compared with the import volume in August.
India imported almost 1.6 million tonnes of edible oils in September, with palm oil having the biggest share at 74%.
According to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) data released on Thursday, the country imported 1.17 million tonnes of palm oil during the month, of which Malaysia supplied about 36.5%. The Edge Markets
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October 13, 2022
Europe is “pivotal” in shifting the global market to sustainable palm oil, new report flags
13 Oct 2022 --- For the past two decades, Europe has been a frontrunner in sustainable palm oil with the EU market reaching high levels. However, total palm oil imports are decreasing. The bloc notably accounts for 45% of total global use of certified sustainable palm oil, indicating this drop could leave a substantial mark on industry’s overall transition to transparency.
New data collected by NewForesight and commissioned by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) also reveals that the consumption of palm oil is increasing in other parts of the world where the market for sustainable palm oil products is still in its infancy.
In this context, the report underscores the importance of maintaining Europe’s role in helping to shift the global market to sustainable palm oil.
Additionally, it outlines why completely switching out palm oil from recipes may not be suitable in the long term.
“As the data shows, we have seen a spike in sustainability communications. In Europe, licenses for the use of the RSPO Trademark on products have doubled between 2020 and 2021, with those for corporate communication tripling in the same period,” comments Francesca Morgante, RSPO’s senior manager for Europe. Food Ingredients First
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Malaysia-MSPO Practices To Make Palm Oil Farming And Production In Malaysia More Sustainable
To demonstrate their commitment towards the production of sustainable palm oil, the Malaysian government announced in May 2017 the mandatory implementation of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme beginning 1 January 2020
This means that all oil palm plantations, organised smallholdings, and palm oil mills must be certified according to the requirements of the MSPO Standards by the aforementioned date. This is to offer concrete assurance to palm oil producers, importers, and consumers of a credible sustainable value chain, from production to consumption.
Established in December 2014, the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) is an independent non-profit organisation that is responsible for the MSPO. Their duties include development of certification standards and scheme documents, training auditors, notification of accredited certification bodies, issuance of MSPO logo usage licenses, and handling complaints.
Here's a look at the Five Principles of MSPO:
- Principle 1: Management commitment and responsibility
- Principle 2: Transparency
- Principle 3: Compliance to legal and other requirements
- Principle 4: Responsibility to social, health, safety, and employment conditions
- Principle 5: Environment, natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services SAYS
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Malaysia Palm oil: Sabah aims to be global leader
KOTA KINABALU: A policy initiative will be put in place to protect the resilience of the palm oil sector and set Sabah up as a global leader in sustainable palm oil, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said this initiative will be done through the concurrent implementation of the Jurisdictional Certification of Sustainable Palm Oil (JCSPO) and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.
“These certifications aim at achieving the internationally-recognised Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standard.
“Consistently and over the years, various initiatives have been introduced and implemented by the State Government to ensure the palm oil sector remains the State’s key economic driver.
“The State Government will continue to pursue efforts to increase the crude palm oil (CPO) yield per hectare through precision agriculture, farm mechanisation, control of pests and diseases, and many more.
“At the same time, the State Government is focusing on leveraging technology and innovation to increase productivity and competitiveness of the oil palm downstream sector,” he said. Daily Express
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World Sight Day stirs concerns on inclusive, affordable eye care
On October 13, stakeholders gathered across the world in celebration of World Sight Day to focus the world’s attention on eye health as a global issue. The theme for this year’s event was: “Love Your Eyes.’’
In commemoration of the event, board of Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Registration of Nigeria, prioritised eye-check, diagnosis and treatment for motorists due to the nature of their job.
Over the years, Rotary, several non-governmental organisations in Nigeria and other international NGOs intervened in creating more awareness and offering free treatment to many Nigerians.
The World Health Organisation noted that globally at least 2.2 billion people have vision impairment or blindness. It added that one billion cases of vision impairment could have been prevented or had yet to be addressed. Eye conditions affect people at all stages of life. However, young children and older people are the most vulnerable. Punch NG
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China-Airbus Delivers A320neo To China Eastern With 5% SAF
Sustainability has reached a new peak in China's aviation industry, as Airbus delivered a new Airbus A320neo, and the delivery flight was powered by a 5% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend. The aircraft took off from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Tianjin and was well-received by China Eastern Airlines.
China Eastern Airlines' introduction to SAF was years ago when it obtained the Number 1 Bio-Jet Fuel Chartered Flight License in April 2013, issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The first successful test flight used biofuel made from palm oil and flew for 85 minutes after departing from Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport.
However, the delivery flight of its latest Airbus A320neo was the first time SAF was used to deliver a single-aisle Airbus aircraft in China, opening the doors for the aircraft manufacturer to embark on a green journey within the country.
Unlike previous SAF delivery flights conducted by Airbus from Europe, the SAF used for the China Eastern Airlines delivery was purchased by the aircraft manufacturer from the China National Aviation Fuel Group. The SAF was then refined and produced by Sinopec Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company, a state-owned fuel manufacturer in China. Simple Flying
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October 14, 2022
EU moves quickly to adopt law banning products contributing to deforestation ahead of UN Biodiversity Conference
The long-awaited second part of COP-15 this December, which is the continuation of the UN Biodiversity Conference from October 2021, has put the European Parliament and Council under pressure to finalise the draft Deforestation Regulation that was first announced on 17 November 2021. In this blog we look at the main outstanding issues that need to be ironed out in the EU before the draft regulation can be settled.
By way of recap, the regulation seeks to prohibit the use of certain products associated with deforestation internationally (known as ‘forest risk commodities’). The new law would make it mandatory for any company selling relevant goods in the European Union to verify that those goods have not been produced on deforested or degraded land. For those who missed our previous blogs on the proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products and its UK counterpart, see here and here.
At the end of September 2022, the first trilogue (a negotiation meeting between the Council, the Parliament’s rapporteur and the Environment Commissioner to try and agree on a final text) identified important differences between the positions of each EU institution:
What products should be in scope? The European Commission originally proposed six commodities which, along with products derived from said commodities, would be caught by the regulation: wood, palm oil, cattle, coffee, soy and cocoa. The Parliament wants to go further, adding corn, rubber, poultry, pork, goat meat and charcoal while the Council stuck to the Commission’s initial list. Any expansion of the listed commodities will result in many more industries being (directly or indirectly) caught by the provisions of the regulation. Already in its initial version, the scope stretches across diverse sectors such as food, garment, chemistry, pharma and cosmetics as well as renewable energy.
How should deforestation be defined? Lexology
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What Not to Do About Deforestation
Palm oil is becoming a target of the European Union's overzealous regulatory wrath. Several recent decisions, including the passing into law of the new Due Diligence Proposal, indicate that the EU is ultimately determined to exclude the benign vegetable oil from sale in Europe. In another significant development, by the year 2030, imports of palm oil for biofuel purposes will be banned under the Renewable Energy Directive II.
Palm oil is utilized in the production of many different types of food and personal care items in addition to being used as a fuel source. It has been used in a plethora of products for a long time without anybody noticing, thanks to its ability to mimic the properties of animal fats while maintaining its low price.
The European Union's (EU) opposition to palm oil is driven by ecological concerns. Europe's bureaucrats and regulators are feeling the heat after the COP26 climate summit pledged last year to cease and reverse deforestation by the end of the decade. Deadlines have already been missed. They want to place the blame on palm oil. Townhall
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East Malaysia’s CPO contribution surges to 46pc
KOTA KINABALU: East Malaysia’s contribution to Malaysia’s total crude palm oil (CPO) production has surged from 22 per cent in 1995 to 46 per cent in 2021, said Bursa Malaysia’s Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Chairman Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift.
He said the launch of the East Malaysia Crude Palm Oil Futures (Fepo) contract in October 2021 was a significant milestone in efforts to meet the hedging and trading needs of international edible oil players.
“The Fepo contract aims to provide greater price transparency for CPO in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The price transparency enabled by Fepo allows CPO producers to sell at a competitive price and for downstream players to better manage price fluctuations of their raw materials.
“Consequently, this will improve refining margins and competitiveness in selling end products to customers,” he said in his welcoming speech at the East Malaysia Palm and Lauric Oils Price Outlook conference and exhibition, here, Wednesday.
Also present were Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Deputy Minister Martin Ben and Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Acting Director Mohd Saleem Kader Bakas. Daily Express
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India's palm oil imports from Malaysia up 21% in September
NEW DELHI (Oct 14): India's palm oil imports from Malaysia grew by more than 21% last month compared with the import volume in August.
India imported almost 1.6 million tonnes of edible oils in September, with palm oil having the biggest share at 74%.
According to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) data released on Thursday, the country imported 1.17 million tonnes of palm oil during the month, of which Malaysia supplied about 36.5%. The Edge Markets
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October 13, 2022
Europe is “pivotal” in shifting the global market to sustainable palm oil, new report flags
13 Oct 2022 --- For the past two decades, Europe has been a frontrunner in sustainable palm oil with the EU market reaching high levels. However, total palm oil imports are decreasing. The bloc notably accounts for 45% of total global use of certified sustainable palm oil, indicating this drop could leave a substantial mark on industry’s overall transition to transparency.
New data collected by NewForesight and commissioned by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) also reveals that the consumption of palm oil is increasing in other parts of the world where the market for sustainable palm oil products is still in its infancy.
In this context, the report underscores the importance of maintaining Europe’s role in helping to shift the global market to sustainable palm oil.
Additionally, it outlines why completely switching out palm oil from recipes may not be suitable in the long term.
“As the data shows, we have seen a spike in sustainability communications. In Europe, licenses for the use of the RSPO Trademark on products have doubled between 2020 and 2021, with those for corporate communication tripling in the same period,” comments Francesca Morgante, RSPO’s senior manager for Europe. Food Ingredients First
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Malaysia-MSPO Practices To Make Palm Oil Farming And Production In Malaysia More Sustainable
To demonstrate their commitment towards the production of sustainable palm oil, the Malaysian government announced in May 2017 the mandatory implementation of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme beginning 1 January 2020
This means that all oil palm plantations, organised smallholdings, and palm oil mills must be certified according to the requirements of the MSPO Standards by the aforementioned date. This is to offer concrete assurance to palm oil producers, importers, and consumers of a credible sustainable value chain, from production to consumption.
Established in December 2014, the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) is an independent non-profit organisation that is responsible for the MSPO. Their duties include development of certification standards and scheme documents, training auditors, notification of accredited certification bodies, issuance of MSPO logo usage licenses, and handling complaints.
Here's a look at the Five Principles of MSPO:
- Principle 1: Management commitment and responsibility
- Principle 2: Transparency
- Principle 3: Compliance to legal and other requirements
- Principle 4: Responsibility to social, health, safety, and employment conditions
- Principle 5: Environment, natural resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services SAYS
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Malaysia Palm oil: Sabah aims to be global leader
KOTA KINABALU: A policy initiative will be put in place to protect the resilience of the palm oil sector and set Sabah up as a global leader in sustainable palm oil, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said this initiative will be done through the concurrent implementation of the Jurisdictional Certification of Sustainable Palm Oil (JCSPO) and Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.
“These certifications aim at achieving the internationally-recognised Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standard.
“Consistently and over the years, various initiatives have been introduced and implemented by the State Government to ensure the palm oil sector remains the State’s key economic driver.
“The State Government will continue to pursue efforts to increase the crude palm oil (CPO) yield per hectare through precision agriculture, farm mechanisation, control of pests and diseases, and many more.
“At the same time, the State Government is focusing on leveraging technology and innovation to increase productivity and competitiveness of the oil palm downstream sector,” he said. Daily Express
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October 11, 2022
Malaysia end-Sept palm oil stocks hits highest in nearly 3 years
Stockpiles rose 10.54% from August to 2.32 million tonnes, the highest since October 2019, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) .
That is higher than a Reuters' forecast of 2.27 million tonnes. Reuters
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Indonesia's Aug palm oil exports at 4.33 million tonnes-GAPKI
JAKARTA : Indonesia exported 4.33 million tonnes of palm oil products in August, data from industry group the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) showed on Tuesday, up from 2.71 million tonnes in July.
Indonesia's decision to waive levies on palm oil exports had helped "improved competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil products in global market amid stiff competition with other vegetable oils," GAPKI said in a statement.
On an annual basis, exports grew 1.4per cent.
Meanwhile in August, the world's biggest palm oil exporter produced 4.31 million tonnes of crude palm oil and kernel oil, up from 3.8 million tonnes in July.
The jump in exports, however, has helped cut stocks to 4.04 million tonnes by the end of August, compared to 5.91 million tonnes a month earlier. Today Online
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India-Arunachal Minister performs ‘bhoomi pujan’ for oil palm processing unit
Arunachal Pradesh: 3F Oil Palm Pvt. Ltd, a leading oil palm company in India, kicked off its investment in the northeast with the bhumi puja for an integrated oil palm factory in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Arunachal Pradesh government. Agriculture minister Tage Taki attended the event as chief guest.
The company had already acquired 120 acres of land for the project in February. All necessary approvals and statutory clearances pertaining to the land have been obtained.
The integrated oil palm project will consist of a state-of-the-art Oil palm factory (Palm Oil Processing and Refining plant), a zero discharge effluent plant, a power plant based on palm waste, and other buildings and godowns for support functions.
This addition of this factory will supplement the existing company operations that include nursery operations, area expansion/ crop maintenance, FFB harvesting and collection, and other ancillary farmer services. East Mojo
Malaysia end-Sept palm oil stocks hits highest in nearly 3 years
- Stocks rise to 2.32 mln T, highest since Oct 2019
- Production up for fourth straight month
- Palm must retain discount over soft oils to maintain exports
Stockpiles rose 10.54% from August to 2.32 million tonnes, the highest since October 2019, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) .
That is higher than a Reuters' forecast of 2.27 million tonnes. Reuters
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Indonesia's Aug palm oil exports at 4.33 million tonnes-GAPKI
JAKARTA : Indonesia exported 4.33 million tonnes of palm oil products in August, data from industry group the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) showed on Tuesday, up from 2.71 million tonnes in July.
Indonesia's decision to waive levies on palm oil exports had helped "improved competitiveness of Indonesian palm oil products in global market amid stiff competition with other vegetable oils," GAPKI said in a statement.
On an annual basis, exports grew 1.4per cent.
Meanwhile in August, the world's biggest palm oil exporter produced 4.31 million tonnes of crude palm oil and kernel oil, up from 3.8 million tonnes in July.
The jump in exports, however, has helped cut stocks to 4.04 million tonnes by the end of August, compared to 5.91 million tonnes a month earlier. Today Online
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India-Arunachal Minister performs ‘bhoomi pujan’ for oil palm processing unit
Arunachal Pradesh: 3F Oil Palm Pvt. Ltd, a leading oil palm company in India, kicked off its investment in the northeast with the bhumi puja for an integrated oil palm factory in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Arunachal Pradesh government. Agriculture minister Tage Taki attended the event as chief guest.
The company had already acquired 120 acres of land for the project in February. All necessary approvals and statutory clearances pertaining to the land have been obtained.
The integrated oil palm project will consist of a state-of-the-art Oil palm factory (Palm Oil Processing and Refining plant), a zero discharge effluent plant, a power plant based on palm waste, and other buildings and godowns for support functions.
This addition of this factory will supplement the existing company operations that include nursery operations, area expansion/ crop maintenance, FFB harvesting and collection, and other ancillary farmer services. East Mojo
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October 08, 2022
EU races to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties with Indonesia
After years of underwhelming relations between the EU and Indonesia, a flurry of diplomatic visits and increased trade has renewed optimism that Brussels is now strengthening ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Indonesia is only the European Union's fifth-largest trading partner out of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states.
Bilateral trade in goods was worth $24.8 billion (€25.29 billion) last year, according to EU figures. That might have been up nearly 20% from 2020 but it was still only more than half the value of the EU's trade with Vietnam last year.
Things are changing. "Our engagement with Indonesia has probably never been so intensive," a European Commission spokesperson told DW.
A surge of diplomatic visits kicked off in June 2021 when Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, made Jakarta the first port of call in his maiden Southeast Asian visit. He returned for a second visit, to Bali, in July this year.
Because of its role as G20 president for 2022, Indonesia has also received an unprecedented number of high-profile EU visits, including from Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU trade commissioner, who last month said from Jakarta that he expects both sides to agree terms on a free-trade deal by 2024.
Talks over a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) began in 2016 but have progressed at a glacial pace, not least because of a series of trade disputes between Indonesia and the EU. Deustche Welle
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EU-Do due diligence laws actually promote climate smart food?
EU-proposed due-diligence legislation has been criticised for triggering unintended consequences across the supply chain, which begs the question: will such a law actually promote climate smart food? Food Navigator
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EU races to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties with Indonesia
After years of underwhelming relations between the EU and Indonesia, a flurry of diplomatic visits and increased trade has renewed optimism that Brussels is now strengthening ties with Southeast Asia's largest economy.
Indonesia is only the European Union's fifth-largest trading partner out of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) states.
Bilateral trade in goods was worth $24.8 billion (€25.29 billion) last year, according to EU figures. That might have been up nearly 20% from 2020 but it was still only more than half the value of the EU's trade with Vietnam last year.
Things are changing. "Our engagement with Indonesia has probably never been so intensive," a European Commission spokesperson told DW.
A surge of diplomatic visits kicked off in June 2021 when Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, made Jakarta the first port of call in his maiden Southeast Asian visit. He returned for a second visit, to Bali, in July this year.
Because of its role as G20 president for 2022, Indonesia has also received an unprecedented number of high-profile EU visits, including from Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU trade commissioner, who last month said from Jakarta that he expects both sides to agree terms on a free-trade deal by 2024.
Talks over a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) began in 2016 but have progressed at a glacial pace, not least because of a series of trade disputes between Indonesia and the EU. Deustche Welle
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EU-Do due diligence laws actually promote climate smart food?
EU-proposed due-diligence legislation has been criticised for triggering unintended consequences across the supply chain, which begs the question: will such a law actually promote climate smart food? Food Navigator
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October 07, 2022
Malaysia's palm planters eye robots, drones to combat labour crunch
YONGPENG, Malaysia – Malaysian research student Haziq Ramli wore an outfit resembling a light jetpack, with poles strapped to his biceps, to wield a long pole that clipped the sharp fronds and heavy bunches of fruit from oil palm trees nearly twice his height.
Working on a three-acre (1.2-hectare) family estate, he was part of a team trying to perfect the gadget, called a wearable exoskeleton, that promises to reduce the need for labourers to manipulate the poles, which can weigh as much as 8 kg (18 lbs).
“My arms are supported when I’m holding the pole, I feel less strain and fatigue,” said Haziq, who wore sneakers and spectacles.
Plantation firms in the world’s second biggest producer of palm oil are stepping up mechanisation to stem losses running into billions of dollars as fruit goes unharvested during their worst labour shortage yet.
“To harvest 10 tonnes of palm fruits a month, we need two workers,” said estate owner Hamidon Salleh.
Hamidon, who is also an engineer, said he and his colleagues at Malaysia’s University of Technology (UTM) were working with top producer Sime Darby Plantation to test the gadget. Euronews
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Malaysia Allocates RM70 to improve palm oil industry sustainability
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM70 million is allocated to improve the palm oil industry’s sustainability, including encouraging the recycling of palm waste material, Minister of Finance Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said.
“The government will also intensify efforts to promote and campaign to deal with global anti-palm oil movement,” he said at the tabling of Budget 2023 at the parliament today.
He said the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification has covered 98 per cent of palm oil cultivation.
On foreign workers levy, he said a multi-tiered levy for foreign workers is targeted to be implemented by 2023.
“Through the approach, companies with a high number of foreign workers such as the plantation and construction sectors will be subjected to a higher levy rate and the government plans to re-channel the additional levy revenue to support employers funding automation initiatives,” he said.
He added that the policy would incentivise and help employers reduce dependency on foreign workers. Bernama/ The Sun Daily
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Biofuels-Proterra Investment Partners Asia invests in Apeiron Bioenergy
In Singapore, Apeiron Bioenergy has entered into an equity investment agreement with Proterra Investment Partners Asia. The proceeds will be used to increase the number of collection points and upgrade existing processing plants to produce feedstocks of higher specifications.
Apeiron Bioenergy has recently closed a separate equity financing round from Mitsui Chemicals. Both investments are set to position Apeiron Bioenergy for exponential growth amidst growing demand for renewable feedstock for advanced biofuels. Apeiron Bioenergy, collects and processes a range of renewable feedstocks including used cooking oil (UCO), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and acts as a critical exporter across an ever-expanding Asian market. Over the past 15 years, Apeiron Bioenergy has built its presence in over 10 countries and collected more than 500 million litres of UCO between 2017-2021, offsetting an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions. Biofuels Digest
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Biofuels-2 Florida men accused of stealing 7,000 pounds of used cooking oil from restaurant
PALM COAST, Fla. - Two Florida men were arrested in Flagler County after a deputy sheriff caught the duo stealing used cooking oil from a local restaurant.
Rui Gen Lin, 48, of St. Johns and Rong Chen, 41, of Gainesville, were arrested Thursday morning for stealing $5,000 worth of cooking oil from Woody's Bar-B-Que off State Road 100 and I-95 in Palm Coast, deputies said.
A deputy sheriff was on patrol and performing a business check on Woody's around 3:15 a.m. and saw Lin and Chen wearing headlamps as they pumped used cooking oil out of a vat kept in a fenced-in area in the back of the restaurant.
The duo was pumping the cooking oil into a white box truck which had large storage containers inside for the oil along with a pump, bolt cutters, and a pry bar.
Deputies said Lin is the owner of a Jacksonville company called L & L Recycling, LLC. Fox35
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Ghana-Dzodze citizens urged to sustain oil palm plantation business
Dr James Klutse Avedzi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, has called on Dzodze citizens to sustain the oil palm plantation business by increasing acreages of the venture, the crop the area is famed for.
He said cultivating oil palm would not only create job opportunities for the youth, especially considering the economic activities connected to crop production such as crop processing, transportation and distribution but it would also make Dzodze the hub of the food crop.
Dr Avedzi made the call at a durbar of chiefs and people of Dzodze to climax their annual Deza (Palm festival), instituted in 2002 to among others, salvage the oil palm from depletion, rejuvenate the oil palm industry in the area and foster unity, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Dzodze, in its formative years, was surrounded by thick forest, mostly oil palm, which shielded the people from regional warfare and slave trade activities.
Since most farmers engaged in oil palm cultivation then, the area was among the few towns in Ghana that had considerable oil palm plantation and actively featured as producer of palm products, including palm oil, palm kernel oil, palm wine, local dry gin (akpeteshie) and palm fronds for baskets and roofs to feed the nation and for exports. News Ghana
Malaysia's palm planters eye robots, drones to combat labour crunch
YONGPENG, Malaysia – Malaysian research student Haziq Ramli wore an outfit resembling a light jetpack, with poles strapped to his biceps, to wield a long pole that clipped the sharp fronds and heavy bunches of fruit from oil palm trees nearly twice his height.
Working on a three-acre (1.2-hectare) family estate, he was part of a team trying to perfect the gadget, called a wearable exoskeleton, that promises to reduce the need for labourers to manipulate the poles, which can weigh as much as 8 kg (18 lbs).
“My arms are supported when I’m holding the pole, I feel less strain and fatigue,” said Haziq, who wore sneakers and spectacles.
Plantation firms in the world’s second biggest producer of palm oil are stepping up mechanisation to stem losses running into billions of dollars as fruit goes unharvested during their worst labour shortage yet.
“To harvest 10 tonnes of palm fruits a month, we need two workers,” said estate owner Hamidon Salleh.
Hamidon, who is also an engineer, said he and his colleagues at Malaysia’s University of Technology (UTM) were working with top producer Sime Darby Plantation to test the gadget. Euronews
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Malaysia Allocates RM70 to improve palm oil industry sustainability
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM70 million is allocated to improve the palm oil industry’s sustainability, including encouraging the recycling of palm waste material, Minister of Finance Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said.
“The government will also intensify efforts to promote and campaign to deal with global anti-palm oil movement,” he said at the tabling of Budget 2023 at the parliament today.
He said the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification has covered 98 per cent of palm oil cultivation.
On foreign workers levy, he said a multi-tiered levy for foreign workers is targeted to be implemented by 2023.
“Through the approach, companies with a high number of foreign workers such as the plantation and construction sectors will be subjected to a higher levy rate and the government plans to re-channel the additional levy revenue to support employers funding automation initiatives,” he said.
He added that the policy would incentivise and help employers reduce dependency on foreign workers. Bernama/ The Sun Daily
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Biofuels-Proterra Investment Partners Asia invests in Apeiron Bioenergy
In Singapore, Apeiron Bioenergy has entered into an equity investment agreement with Proterra Investment Partners Asia. The proceeds will be used to increase the number of collection points and upgrade existing processing plants to produce feedstocks of higher specifications.
Apeiron Bioenergy has recently closed a separate equity financing round from Mitsui Chemicals. Both investments are set to position Apeiron Bioenergy for exponential growth amidst growing demand for renewable feedstock for advanced biofuels. Apeiron Bioenergy, collects and processes a range of renewable feedstocks including used cooking oil (UCO), palm oil mill effluent (POME) and acts as a critical exporter across an ever-expanding Asian market. Over the past 15 years, Apeiron Bioenergy has built its presence in over 10 countries and collected more than 500 million litres of UCO between 2017-2021, offsetting an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions. Biofuels Digest
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Biofuels-2 Florida men accused of stealing 7,000 pounds of used cooking oil from restaurant
PALM COAST, Fla. - Two Florida men were arrested in Flagler County after a deputy sheriff caught the duo stealing used cooking oil from a local restaurant.
Rui Gen Lin, 48, of St. Johns and Rong Chen, 41, of Gainesville, were arrested Thursday morning for stealing $5,000 worth of cooking oil from Woody's Bar-B-Que off State Road 100 and I-95 in Palm Coast, deputies said.
A deputy sheriff was on patrol and performing a business check on Woody's around 3:15 a.m. and saw Lin and Chen wearing headlamps as they pumped used cooking oil out of a vat kept in a fenced-in area in the back of the restaurant.
The duo was pumping the cooking oil into a white box truck which had large storage containers inside for the oil along with a pump, bolt cutters, and a pry bar.
Deputies said Lin is the owner of a Jacksonville company called L & L Recycling, LLC. Fox35
---------
Ghana-Dzodze citizens urged to sustain oil palm plantation business
Dr James Klutse Avedzi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, has called on Dzodze citizens to sustain the oil palm plantation business by increasing acreages of the venture, the crop the area is famed for.
He said cultivating oil palm would not only create job opportunities for the youth, especially considering the economic activities connected to crop production such as crop processing, transportation and distribution but it would also make Dzodze the hub of the food crop.
Dr Avedzi made the call at a durbar of chiefs and people of Dzodze to climax their annual Deza (Palm festival), instituted in 2002 to among others, salvage the oil palm from depletion, rejuvenate the oil palm industry in the area and foster unity, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Dzodze, in its formative years, was surrounded by thick forest, mostly oil palm, which shielded the people from regional warfare and slave trade activities.
Since most farmers engaged in oil palm cultivation then, the area was among the few towns in Ghana that had considerable oil palm plantation and actively featured as producer of palm products, including palm oil, palm kernel oil, palm wine, local dry gin (akpeteshie) and palm fronds for baskets and roofs to feed the nation and for exports. News Ghana
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October 05, 2022
Indonesia, DR Congo, Brazil to present common front at climate talks
Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Brazil are working to present a common front at climate negotiations, the Congolese Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba said on Tuesday. All three countries have vast tropical rainforests threatened by logging and agriculture. Bazaiba, addressing reporters at the informal pre-COP27 talks in the DRC's capital Kinshasa, said she believed the three countries could achieve an agreement on forest protection issues in climate negotiations. The informal talks come ahead of the COP27 climate summit, due to be held in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh from November 6-18.
Bazaiba said the DRC, Brazil and Indonesia will aim to examine how to preserve forest cover "while moving towards development". They will also focus on issues such as access to climate finance and the price of a tonne of carbon in the carbon-credit market.
This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "Indonesia, DR Congo, Brazil to present common front at climate talks". Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2022/10/05/indonesia-dr-congo-brazil-to-present-common-front-at-climate-talks.html.
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Indonesia issues national quality standards for red palm oil
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Standardization Agency (BSN), Kukuh S. Achmad, handed the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) document regulating red palm cooking oil production to the Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministry on Tuesday.
With the formulation of the SNI document numbered SNI 9098:2022, business actors who are members of palm oil cooperatives are expected to manufacture a safe, nutritious, and good quality product, in accordance with the set standards.
“Regarding the quality of the product, for instance, there should be indicators regarding the level of rancidity (of the cooking oil), thus we ensure that we can withstand the rancidity,” the BSN head said at the headquarters of the Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry here on Tuesday.
Furthermore, BSN is also preparing laboratories and competent certification bodies to certify and assess the manufacturing process of the product.
The preparation is based on consensus among the stakeholders, government institutions and agencies, industrial associations, experts, as well as prospective consumers on the certification and assessment indicators. Antara News
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Nigeria-Norsworthy Agro Allied Company Limited, in collaboration with the Delta State government completed palm oil plantation
To tackle the problem of food insecurity in Nigeria, an indigenous firm, Norsworthy Agro Allied Company Limited, in collaboration with the Delta State government, has completed the construction of a multi-billion-naira agro-allied industrial palm plantation built on a 1,400 hectare of land.
The farm is owned by Norsworthy farm, situated at Ugbolu and Ilah communities in Oshimili North Local Council of Delta state, the oil mill plantation conceived with the dual purpose of job creation for the youth as well as tackling food insecurity was inspected by the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, the community leaders and management of the company.
Speaking at the inspection of the oil palm plantation and refinery under construction, the Chairman of Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, thanked the governor for his support and vision for the project. GuardianNG
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Sri Lanka-Namunukula Plantations’ quest for resilience through diversity
Since its genesis, the plantation sector in Sri Lanka has played an essential role in the island’s economy, with tea, and rubber serving as the backbone of this thriving sector. While recent fluctuations in commodity prices may have generated increased export values, the long-term viability of both crops continues to hang in the balance, bolstering the case for greater crop diversification.
One of the strongest success stories on crop diversification among Sri Lanka’s Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs’) is Namunukula Plantations PLC (NPL). Once considered among one of the weakest performing RPCs listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), today the company is among the most consprofit-making plantation companies in Sri Lanka with the single highest share price on the CSE among the listed RPCs.
Valuing ‘The golden crop’
At the center of this transformation is a deeply misunderstood, and extremely lucrative crop: oil palm. Starting from the year 2000, NPL commenced a bold expansion of its sustainable oil palm, with the initial objective of supporting its other key crops: tea, rubber, coconut, and cinnamon.
However, according to NPL CEO, Prins Gunasekera, the value of the “golden crop” soon became apparent, as its earnings rapidly overtook all traditional crops as NPL grew to become Sri Lanka’s second largest producer of sustainable oil palm with over 2,508 Ha under cultivation.
While the past two years have been devastating for many sectors of the Sri Lankan economy, NPL posted some of its strongest financials over the past five years, based on the strength of its diverse export crop portfolio.
As the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic worsened, NPL’s profit after tax expanded over 100% Year-on-Year (YoY) up to a record Rs. 863.2 million. Gunasekera credits NPL’s sustainable oil palm business, and the performance of its joint venture with Agalawatta and Elpitiya Plantations, AEN Palm Oil Processing with this remarkable result. AdaderanaLK
Indonesia, DR Congo, Brazil to present common front at climate talks
Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Brazil are working to present a common front at climate negotiations, the Congolese Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba said on Tuesday. All three countries have vast tropical rainforests threatened by logging and agriculture. Bazaiba, addressing reporters at the informal pre-COP27 talks in the DRC's capital Kinshasa, said she believed the three countries could achieve an agreement on forest protection issues in climate negotiations. The informal talks come ahead of the COP27 climate summit, due to be held in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh from November 6-18.
Bazaiba said the DRC, Brazil and Indonesia will aim to examine how to preserve forest cover "while moving towards development". They will also focus on issues such as access to climate finance and the price of a tonne of carbon in the carbon-credit market.
This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "Indonesia, DR Congo, Brazil to present common front at climate talks". Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2022/10/05/indonesia-dr-congo-brazil-to-present-common-front-at-climate-talks.html.
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Indonesia issues national quality standards for red palm oil
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Standardization Agency (BSN), Kukuh S. Achmad, handed the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) document regulating red palm cooking oil production to the Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Ministry on Tuesday.
With the formulation of the SNI document numbered SNI 9098:2022, business actors who are members of palm oil cooperatives are expected to manufacture a safe, nutritious, and good quality product, in accordance with the set standards.
“Regarding the quality of the product, for instance, there should be indicators regarding the level of rancidity (of the cooking oil), thus we ensure that we can withstand the rancidity,” the BSN head said at the headquarters of the Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry here on Tuesday.
Furthermore, BSN is also preparing laboratories and competent certification bodies to certify and assess the manufacturing process of the product.
The preparation is based on consensus among the stakeholders, government institutions and agencies, industrial associations, experts, as well as prospective consumers on the certification and assessment indicators. Antara News
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Nigeria-Norsworthy Agro Allied Company Limited, in collaboration with the Delta State government completed palm oil plantation
To tackle the problem of food insecurity in Nigeria, an indigenous firm, Norsworthy Agro Allied Company Limited, in collaboration with the Delta State government, has completed the construction of a multi-billion-naira agro-allied industrial palm plantation built on a 1,400 hectare of land.
The farm is owned by Norsworthy farm, situated at Ugbolu and Ilah communities in Oshimili North Local Council of Delta state, the oil mill plantation conceived with the dual purpose of job creation for the youth as well as tackling food insecurity was inspected by the governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, the community leaders and management of the company.
Speaking at the inspection of the oil palm plantation and refinery under construction, the Chairman of Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, thanked the governor for his support and vision for the project. GuardianNG
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Sri Lanka-Namunukula Plantations’ quest for resilience through diversity
Since its genesis, the plantation sector in Sri Lanka has played an essential role in the island’s economy, with tea, and rubber serving as the backbone of this thriving sector. While recent fluctuations in commodity prices may have generated increased export values, the long-term viability of both crops continues to hang in the balance, bolstering the case for greater crop diversification.
One of the strongest success stories on crop diversification among Sri Lanka’s Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs’) is Namunukula Plantations PLC (NPL). Once considered among one of the weakest performing RPCs listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), today the company is among the most consprofit-making plantation companies in Sri Lanka with the single highest share price on the CSE among the listed RPCs.
Valuing ‘The golden crop’
At the center of this transformation is a deeply misunderstood, and extremely lucrative crop: oil palm. Starting from the year 2000, NPL commenced a bold expansion of its sustainable oil palm, with the initial objective of supporting its other key crops: tea, rubber, coconut, and cinnamon.
However, according to NPL CEO, Prins Gunasekera, the value of the “golden crop” soon became apparent, as its earnings rapidly overtook all traditional crops as NPL grew to become Sri Lanka’s second largest producer of sustainable oil palm with over 2,508 Ha under cultivation.
While the past two years have been devastating for many sectors of the Sri Lankan economy, NPL posted some of its strongest financials over the past five years, based on the strength of its diverse export crop portfolio.
As the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic worsened, NPL’s profit after tax expanded over 100% Year-on-Year (YoY) up to a record Rs. 863.2 million. Gunasekera credits NPL’s sustainable oil palm business, and the performance of its joint venture with Agalawatta and Elpitiya Plantations, AEN Palm Oil Processing with this remarkable result. AdaderanaLK
October 04, 2022
Indonesia plans extension of palm oil export levy waiver to year-end
JAKARTA: Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of palm oil, may extend an export levy waiver on the edible oil to the end of this year, its chief economic minister said on Tuesday (Oct 4).
Indonesia started waiving levies imposed on exports of palm oil products from mid-July to help reduce a stock glut that accumulated after a three-week export ban in late April, which was designed to stabilise local cooking oil prices.
The levy waiver policy is currently scheduled to end after Oct 31.
"The plan is for an extension.. until the end of the year," minister Airlangga Hartarto told reporters.
Indonesia collects export levies, on top of a separate export tax, to fund subsidies for its biodiesel and smallholders replanting programmes.
However, as palm oil prices have dropped and the cost of palm oil-based biodiesel is lower than fossil diesel fuel, Indonesia currently needs less funds for the biodiesel programme, Airlangga said. Channel News Asia
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India's September palm oil imports jump to 1-yr high of 1.2 million tonnes
India's imports of palm oil jumped in September to their highest in a year, boosted by strong demand for the tropical oil ahead of the festival season and a steep discount to rival oils, six dealers told Reuters on Tuesday.
Greater buying could help top producer Indonesia cut swelling inventories and support benchmark Malaysian palm oil prices, which have nearly halved from this year's record highs.
The September imports jumped 21% from a month ago to 1.2 million tonnes, the highest since September last year, the average estimate from six dealers with trading firms showed. Economic Times
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Malaysia-Presence of products without palm oil label raises ire
Malaysia's fight to stop anti palm oil campaigns in the West being undermined by retail businesses at home
PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia is fighting the anti-palm oil campaign in the west, products bearing labels stressing that they do not contain palm oil are found at retail outlets and supermarket shelves in the country, and that has the authorities quite peeved.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said checks conducted on 2,609 business premises nationwide by the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry revealed that 12 products were found to carry labels such as “Palm Oil-Free” or “Does Not Contain Palm Oil”.
PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia is fighting the anti-palm oil campaign in the west, products bearing labels stressing that they do not contain palm oil are found at retail outlets and supermarket shelves in the country, and that has the authorities quite peeved.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said checks conducted on 2,609 business premises nationwide by the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry revealed that 12 products were found to carry labels such as “Palm Oil-Free” or “Does Not Contain Palm Oil”. FMT
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Brazil-(OPINION) The Chain: Agropalma’s Owners Look to Sell While Company’s ESG Violations Rise
The owner of Agropalma SA, the largest exporter of palm oil in Brazil, is considering the sale of the company. Agropalma is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Alfa Group, a conglomerate with business segments in finance, hotels, retail, and construction. The Alfa Group is owned by the five daughters of Aloysio Andrade de Faria, a banker who died in 2020, and they have reportedly hired banks to value their assets. Competitors have targeted Alfa Group’s assets since the five heiresses took over the company. Besides wanting to sell Agropalma, the owners are also looking to put two other assets on the market – Banco Alfa and Casa e Construção, a construction company. Banks BTG Pactual, Safra, Master, Daycoval, BR Partners, and Inter were reportedly interested in purchasing any of the three companies, with BTG and Safra the ones most likely to continue talks. Of the three assets, Banco Alfa will likely see the most interest from buyers because of its almost 1 billion real market cap (186 million USD).
Any parties interested in purchasing Agropalma will have to contend with allegations of ties to land grabbing, labor and human rights abuses, and deforestation at a time the company is seeking to increase its palm oil production 50 percent through 2025.
A recent report from Agência Pública, a Brazilian organization that conducts investigative journalism, says that Agropalma has moved onto public lands, putting the company in conflict with local citizens and local communities. A court ruled that two of Agropalma’s farms had their registrations revoked because they were on public land. Conflict with communities has been an ongoing issue for Agropalma, as CRR reported in March.
Similarly, the company has come under criticism in the past for its poor working and labor conditions on the company’s palm oil plantations, a potential issue for a new owner. Several reports have documented issues at Agropalma’s facilities. Agropalma has been linked to slave labor in the past, with a well-known case of an Agropalma outgrower, Altino Coelho de Miranda, appearing on a 2013-2015 blacklist for slave labor. CRR
Indonesia plans extension of palm oil export levy waiver to year-end
JAKARTA: Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of palm oil, may extend an export levy waiver on the edible oil to the end of this year, its chief economic minister said on Tuesday (Oct 4).
Indonesia started waiving levies imposed on exports of palm oil products from mid-July to help reduce a stock glut that accumulated after a three-week export ban in late April, which was designed to stabilise local cooking oil prices.
The levy waiver policy is currently scheduled to end after Oct 31.
"The plan is for an extension.. until the end of the year," minister Airlangga Hartarto told reporters.
Indonesia collects export levies, on top of a separate export tax, to fund subsidies for its biodiesel and smallholders replanting programmes.
However, as palm oil prices have dropped and the cost of palm oil-based biodiesel is lower than fossil diesel fuel, Indonesia currently needs less funds for the biodiesel programme, Airlangga said. Channel News Asia
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India's September palm oil imports jump to 1-yr high of 1.2 million tonnes
India's imports of palm oil jumped in September to their highest in a year, boosted by strong demand for the tropical oil ahead of the festival season and a steep discount to rival oils, six dealers told Reuters on Tuesday.
Greater buying could help top producer Indonesia cut swelling inventories and support benchmark Malaysian palm oil prices, which have nearly halved from this year's record highs.
The September imports jumped 21% from a month ago to 1.2 million tonnes, the highest since September last year, the average estimate from six dealers with trading firms showed. Economic Times
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Malaysia-Presence of products without palm oil label raises ire
Malaysia's fight to stop anti palm oil campaigns in the West being undermined by retail businesses at home
PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia is fighting the anti-palm oil campaign in the west, products bearing labels stressing that they do not contain palm oil are found at retail outlets and supermarket shelves in the country, and that has the authorities quite peeved.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said checks conducted on 2,609 business premises nationwide by the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry revealed that 12 products were found to carry labels such as “Palm Oil-Free” or “Does Not Contain Palm Oil”.
PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia is fighting the anti-palm oil campaign in the west, products bearing labels stressing that they do not contain palm oil are found at retail outlets and supermarket shelves in the country, and that has the authorities quite peeved.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said checks conducted on 2,609 business premises nationwide by the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry revealed that 12 products were found to carry labels such as “Palm Oil-Free” or “Does Not Contain Palm Oil”. FMT
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Brazil-(OPINION) The Chain: Agropalma’s Owners Look to Sell While Company’s ESG Violations Rise
The owner of Agropalma SA, the largest exporter of palm oil in Brazil, is considering the sale of the company. Agropalma is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Alfa Group, a conglomerate with business segments in finance, hotels, retail, and construction. The Alfa Group is owned by the five daughters of Aloysio Andrade de Faria, a banker who died in 2020, and they have reportedly hired banks to value their assets. Competitors have targeted Alfa Group’s assets since the five heiresses took over the company. Besides wanting to sell Agropalma, the owners are also looking to put two other assets on the market – Banco Alfa and Casa e Construção, a construction company. Banks BTG Pactual, Safra, Master, Daycoval, BR Partners, and Inter were reportedly interested in purchasing any of the three companies, with BTG and Safra the ones most likely to continue talks. Of the three assets, Banco Alfa will likely see the most interest from buyers because of its almost 1 billion real market cap (186 million USD).
Any parties interested in purchasing Agropalma will have to contend with allegations of ties to land grabbing, labor and human rights abuses, and deforestation at a time the company is seeking to increase its palm oil production 50 percent through 2025.
A recent report from Agência Pública, a Brazilian organization that conducts investigative journalism, says that Agropalma has moved onto public lands, putting the company in conflict with local citizens and local communities. A court ruled that two of Agropalma’s farms had their registrations revoked because they were on public land. Conflict with communities has been an ongoing issue for Agropalma, as CRR reported in March.
Similarly, the company has come under criticism in the past for its poor working and labor conditions on the company’s palm oil plantations, a potential issue for a new owner. Several reports have documented issues at Agropalma’s facilities. Agropalma has been linked to slave labor in the past, with a well-known case of an Agropalma outgrower, Altino Coelho de Miranda, appearing on a 2013-2015 blacklist for slave labor. CRR
October 03, 2022
India-(OPINION)Telangana proposes to raise oil palm plantations on podu lands in forests
HYDERABAD: In its bid to push ahead with promoting oil palm cultivation, the state government has decided that it will target Podu lands, covered by the RoFR Act (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act) in forest areas for raising oil palm plantations.
Though several questions remain on the suitability of an imported plant species such as oil palm in forest areas, and in the face of the Supreme Court in the past prohibiting rubber plantations on RoFR lands in the northeastern states, the government has issued orders to allow Podu land right holders to begin palm oil plant cultivation.
In its orders on September 26, the environment, forests, science & technology (EFS&T) department said that the state government wanted oil palm cultivated on a mission mode in 20 lakh acres, and the target for this year, 2022-23, was to accomplish it in 2.5 lakh acres. The orders also make it clear that the government wants to ‘promote’ oil palm cultivation on lands for which Scheduled Tribes and others were issued rights under the Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006. Deccan Chronicle
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Malaysia-(OPINION)The case for Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil
Sustainability is a major point when discussing palm oil. As the most consumed vegetable oil in the world, palm oil’s consistent high-yield production attracts scrutiny from market competitors and observers alike for potential irregularities that may provide an unfair advantage. While unsurprising and rational, it has become an opportunity for discriminatory treatments against palm oil producers, putting their production practices into question.
The European Union (EU) has imposed regulations on palm oil, specifically banning its use in biofuel productions. The United States (US) too – via the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – have banned palm oil imports from selected companies, such as the Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Sime Darby Plantations. These are some of the more heavy-handed treatments received by the global palm oil industry. Other treatments include restrictive regulations and policies on palm oil imports by the EU , along with mandating a labelling requirement on the contents for all their vegetable oil products. The latter requirement is also shared by Australia, who has also encouraged the use of certified sustainable palm oil to promote the protection of wildlife habitat. The Edge Markets
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Malaysia must brace for impact from China slowdown: Economists
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have to depend more on domestic demand and prepare for an anticipated economic slowdown in China that will have an impact on Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie noted that China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner – accounting for 18.9% of the latter’s total trade in 2021. Thus, Malaysia will have to depend more on internal domestic demand going into next year, he told SunBiz.
“Hopefully, in the coming budget (Budget 2023), there are short-term measures to sustain private consumption, for private investment to continue to be strong, and support for the manufacturing, services, and construction sectors.
“The Malaysia-China direct trade number is still good partly because of E&E and palm oil. But too long of a slowdown in China will hit our trade side,” said Lee.
Despite better performance in the third quarter of 2022 compared with the first two quarters, Lee said, there are still underlying weaknesses affecting China’s economy.
“We are waiting for the (Chinese party) congress in October. We’ll see if there will be a shift in its Covid approach to help with their internal economy. And most importantly for its people to come in to Malaysia as tourists,” he added.
Similarly, economist Nungsari Ahmad Radhi said it is certain that China’s economy will affect Malaysia’s trade as well as growth as it is the country’s largest trading partner. The Sun Daily
India-(OPINION)Telangana proposes to raise oil palm plantations on podu lands in forests
HYDERABAD: In its bid to push ahead with promoting oil palm cultivation, the state government has decided that it will target Podu lands, covered by the RoFR Act (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act) in forest areas for raising oil palm plantations.
Though several questions remain on the suitability of an imported plant species such as oil palm in forest areas, and in the face of the Supreme Court in the past prohibiting rubber plantations on RoFR lands in the northeastern states, the government has issued orders to allow Podu land right holders to begin palm oil plant cultivation.
In its orders on September 26, the environment, forests, science & technology (EFS&T) department said that the state government wanted oil palm cultivated on a mission mode in 20 lakh acres, and the target for this year, 2022-23, was to accomplish it in 2.5 lakh acres. The orders also make it clear that the government wants to ‘promote’ oil palm cultivation on lands for which Scheduled Tribes and others were issued rights under the Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006. Deccan Chronicle
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Malaysia-(OPINION)The case for Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil
Sustainability is a major point when discussing palm oil. As the most consumed vegetable oil in the world, palm oil’s consistent high-yield production attracts scrutiny from market competitors and observers alike for potential irregularities that may provide an unfair advantage. While unsurprising and rational, it has become an opportunity for discriminatory treatments against palm oil producers, putting their production practices into question.
The European Union (EU) has imposed regulations on palm oil, specifically banning its use in biofuel productions. The United States (US) too – via the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – have banned palm oil imports from selected companies, such as the Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Sime Darby Plantations. These are some of the more heavy-handed treatments received by the global palm oil industry. Other treatments include restrictive regulations and policies on palm oil imports by the EU , along with mandating a labelling requirement on the contents for all their vegetable oil products. The latter requirement is also shared by Australia, who has also encouraged the use of certified sustainable palm oil to promote the protection of wildlife habitat. The Edge Markets
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Malaysia must brace for impact from China slowdown: Economists
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will have to depend more on domestic demand and prepare for an anticipated economic slowdown in China that will have an impact on Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie noted that China is Malaysia’s largest trading partner – accounting for 18.9% of the latter’s total trade in 2021. Thus, Malaysia will have to depend more on internal domestic demand going into next year, he told SunBiz.
“Hopefully, in the coming budget (Budget 2023), there are short-term measures to sustain private consumption, for private investment to continue to be strong, and support for the manufacturing, services, and construction sectors.
“The Malaysia-China direct trade number is still good partly because of E&E and palm oil. But too long of a slowdown in China will hit our trade side,” said Lee.
Despite better performance in the third quarter of 2022 compared with the first two quarters, Lee said, there are still underlying weaknesses affecting China’s economy.
“We are waiting for the (Chinese party) congress in October. We’ll see if there will be a shift in its Covid approach to help with their internal economy. And most importantly for its people to come in to Malaysia as tourists,” he added.
Similarly, economist Nungsari Ahmad Radhi said it is certain that China’s economy will affect Malaysia’s trade as well as growth as it is the country’s largest trading partner. The Sun Daily
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October 02, 2022
OPINION-The EU’s war on palm oil is about protectionism, not global warming
Marc L. Busch is the Karl F. Landegger Professor of International Business Diplomacy at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Indonesia and Malaysia see this as proof that RED II is protectionist. They argue it violates WTO agreements on technical barriers, and trade in goods (subsidies are alleged against France). Europe disagrees, arguing that RED II isn’t a technical regulation, and that, because palm oil is not “like” rapeseed or sunflower oil, there’s no violation of most-favored nation (MFN) and national treatment provisions. Just in case, however, the EU invoked the first-ever three-in-one exception, “concurrently” raising affirmative legal defenses on public morals, human health and safety, and non-renewable natural resources.
If RED II is a technical regulation, it gives Indonesia and Malaysia more room to argue that it’s not grounded in science, and is overly trade restrictive. The betting is that it’s not a technical regulation. Still, Indonesia and Malaysia will win on MFN and national treatment if palm oil, rapeseed and sunflower oil, for example, are “like goods.” The Hill
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India-Centre extends concessional custom duty on edible oil import till March 2023
The current duty structure on crude palm oil, RBD Palmolein, RBD palm oil, crude soybean oil, refined soybean oil, crude sunflower oil and refined sunflower oil remains set till 31 March, 2023
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on October 2 extended existing concessional import duties on specified edible oils up to March 31, 2023. The move aims at boosting domestic supply and curbing prices of edible oil.
The current duty structure on crude palm oil, RBD Palmolein, RBD palm oil, crude soybean oil, refined soybean oil, crude sunflower oil and refined sunflower oil remains set till March 31, 2023, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said in a statement.
The import duty on crude varieties of palm oil, soyabean oil and sunflower oil is currently zero. However, after taking into account 5 per cent agricess and 10 per cent social welfare cess, the effective duty on crude varieties of these three edible oils touches 5.5 per cent. Money Control
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Papua New Guinea: Indo-Melanesia regional strategy
Maru’s‘Walk-Across-Asia’ lays out a two-way foreign policy canvass toward an expanded Indo-Melanesian free trade area with Asean plus China
THE Marape-Rosso Government has broken the hoodoo that has prevented PNG’s active engagement with Indonesia.
The Government has made it plain it desires to ‘walk across to Asia’ through Indonesia as it embraces a trade-based and market-oriented economic growth. Indonesia holds a reservoir of beneficial knowledge on how to grow economies of scale toward industrialisation to which can torch-light PNG, if not the Melanesian sub-region as a whole.
Though late, PNG has realised such a strategy holds the only option it has in modernising the growth of its economy that Prime Minister James Marape postulated to reach K200 billion by 2030 to enable PNG achieve its grand development vision of becoming a comparable middle-income economy by 2050.
The major public policy strategic move could cause a convergence effect whereby Melanesian sub-group economies – Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Kiribati – would see fresh air for resuscitating the constricted Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) free trade market with that of Indonesia, Asean and China. The NationalPG
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Indonesia-Astra Agro's Response to Nestle's Plan to Block The Supply
Palmoilmagazine.com, JAKARTA - The management of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) has reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable management of oil palm plantations. This commitment includes our efforts to preserve the environment and respect human rights.
This is conveyed in response to reports in various mass media about Nestle SA's plan to ask its suppliers not to buy palm oil from three entities related to Astra Agro. Quoting Bloomberg, information about Nestle's plan to block supply is known from a letter from Nestle, the Swiss food company to Friends of The Earth as seen by Bloomberg.
Astra Agro’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Tofan Mahdi, said Nestle SA is not a direct buyer of palm oil from Astra Agro’s subsidiaries.
According to Tofan Mahdi, the plan to block supplies to Nestle SA follows pressure from Friends of The Earth (FoE), an international environmental NGO, which accuses Astra Agro of destroying the environment, committing human rights violations and land grabbing. Unfortunately, these accusations are baseless and do not reflect the real conditions on the ground. Infosawit
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OPINION-The EU’s war on palm oil is about protectionism, not global warming
Marc L. Busch is the Karl F. Landegger Professor of International Business Diplomacy at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
Indonesia and Malaysia see this as proof that RED II is protectionist. They argue it violates WTO agreements on technical barriers, and trade in goods (subsidies are alleged against France). Europe disagrees, arguing that RED II isn’t a technical regulation, and that, because palm oil is not “like” rapeseed or sunflower oil, there’s no violation of most-favored nation (MFN) and national treatment provisions. Just in case, however, the EU invoked the first-ever three-in-one exception, “concurrently” raising affirmative legal defenses on public morals, human health and safety, and non-renewable natural resources.
If RED II is a technical regulation, it gives Indonesia and Malaysia more room to argue that it’s not grounded in science, and is overly trade restrictive. The betting is that it’s not a technical regulation. Still, Indonesia and Malaysia will win on MFN and national treatment if palm oil, rapeseed and sunflower oil, for example, are “like goods.” The Hill
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India-Centre extends concessional custom duty on edible oil import till March 2023
The current duty structure on crude palm oil, RBD Palmolein, RBD palm oil, crude soybean oil, refined soybean oil, crude sunflower oil and refined sunflower oil remains set till 31 March, 2023
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on October 2 extended existing concessional import duties on specified edible oils up to March 31, 2023. The move aims at boosting domestic supply and curbing prices of edible oil.
The current duty structure on crude palm oil, RBD Palmolein, RBD palm oil, crude soybean oil, refined soybean oil, crude sunflower oil and refined sunflower oil remains set till March 31, 2023, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said in a statement.
The import duty on crude varieties of palm oil, soyabean oil and sunflower oil is currently zero. However, after taking into account 5 per cent agricess and 10 per cent social welfare cess, the effective duty on crude varieties of these three edible oils touches 5.5 per cent. Money Control
---------
Papua New Guinea: Indo-Melanesia regional strategy
Maru’s‘Walk-Across-Asia’ lays out a two-way foreign policy canvass toward an expanded Indo-Melanesian free trade area with Asean plus China
THE Marape-Rosso Government has broken the hoodoo that has prevented PNG’s active engagement with Indonesia.
The Government has made it plain it desires to ‘walk across to Asia’ through Indonesia as it embraces a trade-based and market-oriented economic growth. Indonesia holds a reservoir of beneficial knowledge on how to grow economies of scale toward industrialisation to which can torch-light PNG, if not the Melanesian sub-region as a whole.
Though late, PNG has realised such a strategy holds the only option it has in modernising the growth of its economy that Prime Minister James Marape postulated to reach K200 billion by 2030 to enable PNG achieve its grand development vision of becoming a comparable middle-income economy by 2050.
The major public policy strategic move could cause a convergence effect whereby Melanesian sub-group economies – Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Kiribati – would see fresh air for resuscitating the constricted Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) free trade market with that of Indonesia, Asean and China. The NationalPG
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Indonesia-Astra Agro's Response to Nestle's Plan to Block The Supply
Palmoilmagazine.com, JAKARTA - The management of PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) has reaffirmed its commitment to the sustainable management of oil palm plantations. This commitment includes our efforts to preserve the environment and respect human rights.
This is conveyed in response to reports in various mass media about Nestle SA's plan to ask its suppliers not to buy palm oil from three entities related to Astra Agro. Quoting Bloomberg, information about Nestle's plan to block supply is known from a letter from Nestle, the Swiss food company to Friends of The Earth as seen by Bloomberg.
Astra Agro’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Tofan Mahdi, said Nestle SA is not a direct buyer of palm oil from Astra Agro’s subsidiaries.
According to Tofan Mahdi, the plan to block supplies to Nestle SA follows pressure from Friends of The Earth (FoE), an international environmental NGO, which accuses Astra Agro of destroying the environment, committing human rights violations and land grabbing. Unfortunately, these accusations are baseless and do not reflect the real conditions on the ground. Infosawit
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October 01, 2022
India slashes base import price of palm oil, gold
MUMBAI, Oct 1 (Reuters) - India has slashed the base import prices of crude and refined palm oil, crude soya oil and gold, the government said in a statement late on Friday, as prices corrected in the world market.
The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold and silver every fortnight, and the prices are used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.
India is the world's biggest importer of edible oils and silver and the second-biggest consumer of gold. Reuters
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Indonesia-Biogas plants construction starts in N. Sumatra, aims to reduce carbon emissions by 3.7m tonnes/ year
The construction of 25 biomethane-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG) plants in North Sumatra, capable of processing 387,000 cubic meters of palm oil waste, was started on Wednesday with the groundbreaking of the first plant in Langkat. PT KIS Biofuels Indonesia aims to complete construction in the next two years, with the plants claimed to be the biggest of their kind in Southeast Asia as they could potentially reduce carbon emissions by 3.7 million tonnes per year. The Jakarta Post
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Malaysia-(Opinion) Towards The RED III: A Failed Reform And Unpleasant Surprise For Palm Oil As A Biofuel Feedstock?
The EU is currently reviewing the current iteration of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, known as the RED II, in view of the EU having increased its ambitions regarding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target for 2030 and the EU’s path to climate neutrality.
On 16 July 2021, the European Commission (Commission) had published its Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 (hereinafter, RED III). The Proposal is part of the Commission’s Fit for 55: delivering the EU’s 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality Communication, which was published on 14 July 2021.
As much as the current iteration of the EU’s rules on renewable energy, the RED III is poised to affect palm oil as a biofuel feedstock. As the Commission, the Council of the EU (Council) and the European Parliament have been formulating their positions in view of reaching a commonly agreed text, it is time to engage and ensure that the producers’ and producing countries’ perspectives are part of the EU debate and taken into account by EU regulators. MPOC
India slashes base import price of palm oil, gold
MUMBAI, Oct 1 (Reuters) - India has slashed the base import prices of crude and refined palm oil, crude soya oil and gold, the government said in a statement late on Friday, as prices corrected in the world market.
The government revises base import prices of edible oils, gold and silver every fortnight, and the prices are used to calculate the amount of tax an importer needs to pay.
India is the world's biggest importer of edible oils and silver and the second-biggest consumer of gold. Reuters
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Indonesia-Biogas plants construction starts in N. Sumatra, aims to reduce carbon emissions by 3.7m tonnes/ year
The construction of 25 biomethane-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG) plants in North Sumatra, capable of processing 387,000 cubic meters of palm oil waste, was started on Wednesday with the groundbreaking of the first plant in Langkat. PT KIS Biofuels Indonesia aims to complete construction in the next two years, with the plants claimed to be the biggest of their kind in Southeast Asia as they could potentially reduce carbon emissions by 3.7 million tonnes per year. The Jakarta Post
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Malaysia-(Opinion) Towards The RED III: A Failed Reform And Unpleasant Surprise For Palm Oil As A Biofuel Feedstock?
The EU is currently reviewing the current iteration of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, known as the RED II, in view of the EU having increased its ambitions regarding the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target for 2030 and the EU’s path to climate neutrality.
On 16 July 2021, the European Commission (Commission) had published its Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive 98/70/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the promotion of energy from renewable sources, and repealing Council Directive (EU) 2015/652 (hereinafter, RED III). The Proposal is part of the Commission’s Fit for 55: delivering the EU’s 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality Communication, which was published on 14 July 2021.
As much as the current iteration of the EU’s rules on renewable energy, the RED III is poised to affect palm oil as a biofuel feedstock. As the Commission, the Council of the EU (Council) and the European Parliament have been formulating their positions in view of reaching a commonly agreed text, it is time to engage and ensure that the producers’ and producing countries’ perspectives are part of the EU debate and taken into account by EU regulators. MPOC
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Focus on sustainable palm oil. CSPO Watch