Palm oil news. November 2025
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November 15, 2025
The real test of the EU-Indonesia trade deal will be palm oil
The conclusion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) represents a significant political achievement. After more than 10 years of negotiation, the 27-member European Union and Southeast Asia's largest economy have cemented their economic ties.
The stakes are high: global trade is fragmenting and the predictable patterns of the past three decades are changing. Trade between economies that value predictable rules and cooperation has become vital for both our regions. The agreement therefore comes at exactly the right time. Both Indonesia and the EU are sizeable economies; they do not have the weight of the US and China, but together they represent a heft and geographical breadth that is significant.
Palm oil was one of the most contentious issues, causing long delays and difficult negotiations. Now that a deal has been reached, it's worth examining what the agreement does – and doesn't do – for the palm oil industry.
For Indonesia's palm oil sector, the agreement creates tangible near-term opportunities – but only if implementation is executed with discipline and sustained engagement.
The market access provisions offer clear opportunities for Indonesian palm oil exports, particularly refined products. Upon entry into force, 1.9 million tonnes of crude and refined palm oil will enter the EU tariff-free, rising to 2.479 million tonnes from the ninth year. For palm-kernel oil, the tariff-free volume stands at 140,000 tonnes, expanding to 182,668 tonnes from year nine. Beyond these quotas, tariffs will likely be around three percent.
Against the EU's most-favoured-nation schedule, this translates into substantial preference margins: between 9 and 12.8 percent for some refined palm fractions and 6.4 to 12.8% for palm-kernel oil within quota limits. There are meaningful advantages outside those limits too. In short, the agreement improves the landed-cost position of Indonesian palm oil in the EU market, especially for refined products.
These quotas carry real economic weight. Based on recent EU import levels, the palm oil quota covers more than one-third of current market volumes, while the palm-kernel oil quota approaches one-fifth. With these quotas in place, that share can grow. The largest gains are expected in refined and fractionated products, where existing tariffs are highest.
But it isn't a free-for-all. Rules of origin determine whether a product qualifies under the free trade agreement. For example, crude palm oil cannot be imported into Indonesia, refined, and then exported under the agreement. The benefits of lower tariffs will go to products derived from Indonesian fruit and kernels. This rewards growers and processors who invest in segregated supply chains with clear origins. It also incentivises exports of more refined products to the EU, encouraging greater investment in Indonesian processing capacity.
On sustainability, the Palm Oil Annex acknowledges the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification system and encourages cooperation on palm sustainability. While these commitments are not hard obligations, they provide an official platform to demonstrate ISPO's strengthening to European stakeholders and to build technical cooperation.
It's important to note that the annex references the EU Deforestation Regulation but does not directly address it beyond cooperation measures. Compliance with the repeatedly delayed EUDR remains a separate obligation for any exporter targeting the EU market.
The Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter is binding under this agreement – and this is novel. Under most agreements, including the EU's, disputes over sustainability cannot be escalated to the same level as disputes over tariffs. Under this agreement they can. This raises the stakes considerably for international obligations, particularly on labour. European NGOs will be watching closely.
The institutional provisions – an annual Trade Committee, a TSD Committee, and Domestic Advisory Groups – are not mere formalities. Indonesian industry stakeholders must maintain an active presence. They should establish a standing channel to the TSD Committee and secure representation in the Domestic Advisory Group to ensure that practical experience on sustainability directly informs decision-making from the outset.
It's worth remembering that governments don't trade – businesses do. Translating the agreement into increased market share and domestic value-addition requires an active implementation agenda. Those wanting to exploit lower tariffs will need to ensure segregated supply chains. The annex's acknowledgement of ISPO can be leveraged to align with EUDR due diligence obligations and buyer specifications. Memoranda of understanding with EU industry bodies will facilitate data exchange and industry cooperation.
One hurdle remains: ratification. Views within Indonesian industry are not uniform. Some sectors would prefer that ongoing WTO disputes be resolved and that certain EU measures, including aspects of the Renewable Energy Directive, be brought into conformity with international obligations before the agreement is signed. These concerns are legitimate.
But the agreement's balanced package – market access, institutionalised cooperation and a binding sustainability chapter – offers a concrete, near-term pathway to protect and expand Indonesia's legitimate trade interests. The opportunity is real, but it demands active engagement, not just an expectation it will 'just happen'. EU Observer
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Palm Oil Industry Analysis in the USA 2025 to 2035
The demand for palm oil in the USA is projected to grow from USD 2.73 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 3.90 billion by 2035, recording an absolute increase of USD 1.17 billion over the forecast period. This translates into total growth of 42.86%, with demand forecast to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.50% between 2025 and 2035.
Overall sales are expected to grow by nearly 1.43X during the same period, supported by increasing consumer preference for versatile cooking oils nationwide, rising adoption of refined palm oil varieties and food processing applications, and growing integration in oleochemical, biofuel, and food manufacturing sectors. The USA, characterized by advanced food processing infrastructure and established industrial capabilities, continues to demonstrate robust growth potential driven by population growth and expanding commercial applications.
Quick Stats for USA Palm Oil Demand
USA Palm Oil Sales Value (2025): USD 2.73 billion
USA Palm Oil Forecast Value (2035): USD 3.90 billion
USA Palm Oil Forecast CAGR: 3.50%
Leading Product Category in USA Palm Oil Demand: Crude Palm Oil (46.80%)
Key Growth Regions in USA Palm Oil Demand: West, Northeast, Midwest, and South
Regional Leadership: West holds the leading position in demand
Key Players in USA Palm Oil Demand: Wilmar International Limited, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Golden Agri-Resources Ltd, Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd, IOI Corporation Berhad, Bunge Limited
Between 2025 and 2030, demand for palm oil in the USA is projected to expand from USD 2.73 billion to USD 3.25 billion, resulting in a value increase of USD 0.52 billion, which represents 44.44% of the total forecast growth for the decade. This phase of growth will be shaped by rising sustainable sourcing preferences and certified palm oil adoption across USA food facilities, particularly in manufacturing centers where corporate responsibility standards and environmental compliance are accelerating palm oil deployment. Increasing integration of refined palm oil applications in food processing and growing adoption of sustainable sourcing technologies continue to drive demand. Food manufacturers are expanding their ingredient capabilities to address the growing complexity of modern consumer requirements and performance specifications, with USA operations leading investments in certified palm oil systems.
From 2030 to 2035, demand is forecast to grow from USD 3.25 billion to USD 3.90 billion, adding another USD 0.65 billion, which constitutes 55.56% of the overall ten-year expansion. This period is expected to be characterized by expansion of premium certified palm oil integration, development of advanced specialty applications and sustainable formulations, and implementation of specialized traceability systems across different food applications. The growing adoption of environmental responsibility principles and enhanced sustainability requirements, particularly in West Coast and Northeast regions, will drive demand for more sophisticated palm oil systems and integrated sustainable sourcing platforms.
Between 2020 and 2025, palm oil demand in the USA experienced steady expansion, driven by increasing food processing requirements in manufacturing sectors and growing awareness of palm oil benefits for cost-effective cooking applications and industrial uses. The sector developed as food companies and oleochemical manufacturers, especially in major industrial corridors, recognized the need for proven vegetable oil solutions and reliable ingredient systems to achieve operational targets while meeting cost efficiency expectations and regulatory requirements. Palm oil suppliers and processing providers began emphasizing proper quality integration and supply optimization to maintain competitive advantages and commercial viability.
USA Palm Oil Demand Key Takeaways
Why is the USA Palm Oil Demand Growing?
Demand expansion is being supported by the accelerating emphasis on cost-effective ingredient consumption and food processing transformation nationwide, with the USA maintaining its position as a food manufacturing and industrial processing leadership region, and the corresponding need for effective vegetable oil systems for production management, quality control processing, and performance integration. Modern food manufacturers rely on palm oil technologies to ensure operational competitiveness, ingredient cost compliance, and optimal pathway achievement toward efficient production operations. Advanced operational requirements necessitate comprehensive vegetable oil solutions including specialized processing capabilities, quality control systems, and cost optimization infrastructure to address diverse application needs and performance specifications.
The growing emphasis on sustainable sourcing adoption and increasing federal and state-level environmental regulations, particularly certified palm oil programs across the USA, are driving demand for palm oil systems from proven suppliers with appropriate food expertise and quality management capabilities. Food manufacturers and oleochemical companies are increasingly investing in palm oil sourcing and integrated sustainable solutions to enhance operational profiles, access cost optimization trends, and demonstrate environmental leadership in competitive commercial environments. Environmental policies and sustainability compliance requirements are establishing standardized sourcing pathways that require certified palm oil systems and performance assurance, with USA operations often pioneering large-scale implementation of advanced palm oil technologies.
Opportunity Pathways - Demand for Palm Oil in the United States
The palm oil demand in the USA is positioned for robust expansion, growing from USD 2.73 billion in 2025 to USD 3.90 billion by 2035, reflecting a 3.50% CAGR. Rising adoption of versatile vegetable oil systems in food processing operations, oleochemical facilities, and biofuel applications is driving growth as manufacturers seek palm oil solutions that maximize cost efficiency and comply with stringent ingredient standards. Additionally, demand from refined palm oil applications and advanced processing implementations strengthens opportunities for both sophisticated sustainable platforms and integrated ingredient solutions.
Manufacturers focusing on sustainable sourcing implementations, cost-effective processing integration, and advanced specialty capabilities stand to gain from evolving operational standards and customer expectations for quality processing, reliability, and supply optimization.
Pathway A - Sustainable Sourcing Implementations and Food Processing Applications. Food manufacturers face increasing demands for reliable sustainable solutions in modern processing facilities. Certified palm oil enables enhanced supply transparency and comprehensive monitoring capabilities without compromising production performance. Solutions targeting large-scale manufacturers, food companies, and processing facilities can achieve strong adoption rates through sustainability optimization and reliability improvements. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 185.00--265.00 million.
Pathway B - Cost-effective Processing and Advanced Refining Systems. The growth in food processing optimization, ingredient cost management, and production operational management creates robust demand for refined palm oil ensuring efficiency in manufacturing processes. Manufacturers offering cost-effective processing solutions for food applications can build relationships with equipment suppliers and ingredient integrators. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 145.00--210.00 million.
Pathway C - Crude Palm Oil and Industrial Applications. Food manufacturers are increasingly adopting crude palm oil systems for consistent cost control. Collaborations with equipment manufacturers for integrated industrial solutions can unlock large-volume supply contracts and long-term partnerships in precision food applications. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 125.00--185.00 million.
Pathway D - Oleochemical and Industrial Solutions. Environmental requirements and operational flexibility demands are driving preference for technical-grade palm oil platforms with superior processing capabilities. Suppliers offering comprehensive oleochemical solutions with exceptional operational characteristics can differentiate offerings and attract environmentally-focused organizations. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 105.00--150.00 million.
Pathway E - Biofuel and Energy Applications. Critical energy applications require specialized palm oil configurations with optimized processing features and enhanced fuel properties. Manufacturers investing in biofuel development can secure advantages in serving performance-critical energy applications. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 85.00--125.00 million.
Pathway F - Service and Support Networks. Comprehensive service networks offering deployment, training, and ongoing operational support create recurring revenue opportunities. Companies building strong technical support capabilities can capture ongoing relationships and enhance customer satisfaction across food processing facilities. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 65.00--95.00 million.
Segmental Analysis
The demand is segmented by product, end use, and region. By product, sales are divided into crude palm oil, refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, and others categories. In terms of end use, demand is segmented into food processing, oleochemicals, biofuel, and others. Regionally, demand is divided into West, Northeast, Midwest, and South, with West representing a key growth and innovation hub for palm oil technologies.
By Product, Crude Palm Oil Segment Accounts for 46.80% Share FACTMR
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Fuelling the future with UCOs energy for the UK
From waste stream to sustainable energy. Suzanne McKenzie, Sales Director at Lifecycle Oils on how cooking oil is being transformed into biofuel
The UK’s food industry produces millions of litres of used cooking oil (UCO) every day via food service outlets and food manufacturers. Historically this UCO was treated as a waste product, presenting significant challenges in disposal and compliance. When not properly disposed of, fats, oils and grease (FOG) can lead to severe drain blockages, environmental pollution and hefty fines for businesses under the Water Industry Act 1991.
Yet today, our attitudes towards waste have come full circle, and UCO is now a valuable feedstock for advanced, second-generation biofuels. That is why we buy used cooking oil from the food businesses, turning it into a revenue stream for them.
From a sustainability perspective, there are huge benefits from using UCO to create biofuels. Unlike first-generation biofuels made from virgin crops like palm oil or rapeseed, UCO-derived fuels do not create competition for land that could be used for food production, nor do they drive agricultural expansion, deforestation, or biodiversity loss.
By repurposing a waste stream, we are sidestepping the significant carbon emissions associated with additional agricultural production and land-use change. We’re also not competing with the food chain, which can drive price pressures in the edible oils market.
There are also huge carbon savings when compared to conventional fossil fuels. Biodiesel from UCO produces around 80-90 per cent less carbon than fossil fuel diesel, and 40 per cent less carbon than first-generation biofuels made from virgin feedstocks.
A CLOSED-LOOP SERVICE IN ACTION
At Lifecycle Oils, we run a fully closed-loop service that manages the entire lifecycle of cooking oil, transforming it from a potential liability into a renewable energy resource. This is how the process works.
Sustainable Supply and Management: We begin by supplying the food industry with sustainably sourced fresh cooking oils. We then provide FOG management services to help businesses prevent costly blockages and remain compliant with environmental regulations.
Nationwide Collection: We collect the UCO from a wide network of food manufacturers, foodservice providers, oil aggregators and household waste sites. Our logistics are tailored for the industry, handling a range of containers including 60L barrels, 120L wheelie bins, 1,000L Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and even oil tankers.
Advanced Biofuel Processing: The collected UCO is transported to a new, state-of-the-art biofuels processing plant in Wednesbury, West Midlands, where it is turned into our own patented LF100 biofuel and other biofuel feedstocks.
Biofuel supply: We then sell the LF100 to UK manufacturers, as well as the entertainment and leisure industry, where it is used in generators to power a wide range of operations. We sell other biofuel feedstocks for further processing into various biofuels, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
PRODUCING SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS
To achieve the volumes needed, the Wednesbury facility opened in May 2025. This modern biofuel plant in the Midlands can produce millions of litres of biofuel and biofuel products every week. It’s where LF100 biofuel is produced, a second-generation biofuel designed to be as sustainable as possible, eliminating the chemical treatment stage traditionally required to turn UCO into biofuel. Instead, a multi-stage filtration and extended warm settling process is used, which takes approximately 14 days to complete. FMJUK
The real test of the EU-Indonesia trade deal will be palm oil
The conclusion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) represents a significant political achievement. After more than 10 years of negotiation, the 27-member European Union and Southeast Asia's largest economy have cemented their economic ties.
The stakes are high: global trade is fragmenting and the predictable patterns of the past three decades are changing. Trade between economies that value predictable rules and cooperation has become vital for both our regions. The agreement therefore comes at exactly the right time. Both Indonesia and the EU are sizeable economies; they do not have the weight of the US and China, but together they represent a heft and geographical breadth that is significant.
Palm oil was one of the most contentious issues, causing long delays and difficult negotiations. Now that a deal has been reached, it's worth examining what the agreement does – and doesn't do – for the palm oil industry.
For Indonesia's palm oil sector, the agreement creates tangible near-term opportunities – but only if implementation is executed with discipline and sustained engagement.
The market access provisions offer clear opportunities for Indonesian palm oil exports, particularly refined products. Upon entry into force, 1.9 million tonnes of crude and refined palm oil will enter the EU tariff-free, rising to 2.479 million tonnes from the ninth year. For palm-kernel oil, the tariff-free volume stands at 140,000 tonnes, expanding to 182,668 tonnes from year nine. Beyond these quotas, tariffs will likely be around three percent.
Against the EU's most-favoured-nation schedule, this translates into substantial preference margins: between 9 and 12.8 percent for some refined palm fractions and 6.4 to 12.8% for palm-kernel oil within quota limits. There are meaningful advantages outside those limits too. In short, the agreement improves the landed-cost position of Indonesian palm oil in the EU market, especially for refined products.
These quotas carry real economic weight. Based on recent EU import levels, the palm oil quota covers more than one-third of current market volumes, while the palm-kernel oil quota approaches one-fifth. With these quotas in place, that share can grow. The largest gains are expected in refined and fractionated products, where existing tariffs are highest.
But it isn't a free-for-all. Rules of origin determine whether a product qualifies under the free trade agreement. For example, crude palm oil cannot be imported into Indonesia, refined, and then exported under the agreement. The benefits of lower tariffs will go to products derived from Indonesian fruit and kernels. This rewards growers and processors who invest in segregated supply chains with clear origins. It also incentivises exports of more refined products to the EU, encouraging greater investment in Indonesian processing capacity.
On sustainability, the Palm Oil Annex acknowledges the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification system and encourages cooperation on palm sustainability. While these commitments are not hard obligations, they provide an official platform to demonstrate ISPO's strengthening to European stakeholders and to build technical cooperation.
It's important to note that the annex references the EU Deforestation Regulation but does not directly address it beyond cooperation measures. Compliance with the repeatedly delayed EUDR remains a separate obligation for any exporter targeting the EU market.
The Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter is binding under this agreement – and this is novel. Under most agreements, including the EU's, disputes over sustainability cannot be escalated to the same level as disputes over tariffs. Under this agreement they can. This raises the stakes considerably for international obligations, particularly on labour. European NGOs will be watching closely.
The institutional provisions – an annual Trade Committee, a TSD Committee, and Domestic Advisory Groups – are not mere formalities. Indonesian industry stakeholders must maintain an active presence. They should establish a standing channel to the TSD Committee and secure representation in the Domestic Advisory Group to ensure that practical experience on sustainability directly informs decision-making from the outset.
It's worth remembering that governments don't trade – businesses do. Translating the agreement into increased market share and domestic value-addition requires an active implementation agenda. Those wanting to exploit lower tariffs will need to ensure segregated supply chains. The annex's acknowledgement of ISPO can be leveraged to align with EUDR due diligence obligations and buyer specifications. Memoranda of understanding with EU industry bodies will facilitate data exchange and industry cooperation.
One hurdle remains: ratification. Views within Indonesian industry are not uniform. Some sectors would prefer that ongoing WTO disputes be resolved and that certain EU measures, including aspects of the Renewable Energy Directive, be brought into conformity with international obligations before the agreement is signed. These concerns are legitimate.
But the agreement's balanced package – market access, institutionalised cooperation and a binding sustainability chapter – offers a concrete, near-term pathway to protect and expand Indonesia's legitimate trade interests. The opportunity is real, but it demands active engagement, not just an expectation it will 'just happen'. EU Observer
--------
Palm Oil Industry Analysis in the USA 2025 to 2035
The demand for palm oil in the USA is projected to grow from USD 2.73 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 3.90 billion by 2035, recording an absolute increase of USD 1.17 billion over the forecast period. This translates into total growth of 42.86%, with demand forecast to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.50% between 2025 and 2035.
Overall sales are expected to grow by nearly 1.43X during the same period, supported by increasing consumer preference for versatile cooking oils nationwide, rising adoption of refined palm oil varieties and food processing applications, and growing integration in oleochemical, biofuel, and food manufacturing sectors. The USA, characterized by advanced food processing infrastructure and established industrial capabilities, continues to demonstrate robust growth potential driven by population growth and expanding commercial applications.
Quick Stats for USA Palm Oil Demand
USA Palm Oil Sales Value (2025): USD 2.73 billion
USA Palm Oil Forecast Value (2035): USD 3.90 billion
USA Palm Oil Forecast CAGR: 3.50%
Leading Product Category in USA Palm Oil Demand: Crude Palm Oil (46.80%)
Key Growth Regions in USA Palm Oil Demand: West, Northeast, Midwest, and South
Regional Leadership: West holds the leading position in demand
Key Players in USA Palm Oil Demand: Wilmar International Limited, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, Golden Agri-Resources Ltd, Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd, IOI Corporation Berhad, Bunge Limited
Between 2025 and 2030, demand for palm oil in the USA is projected to expand from USD 2.73 billion to USD 3.25 billion, resulting in a value increase of USD 0.52 billion, which represents 44.44% of the total forecast growth for the decade. This phase of growth will be shaped by rising sustainable sourcing preferences and certified palm oil adoption across USA food facilities, particularly in manufacturing centers where corporate responsibility standards and environmental compliance are accelerating palm oil deployment. Increasing integration of refined palm oil applications in food processing and growing adoption of sustainable sourcing technologies continue to drive demand. Food manufacturers are expanding their ingredient capabilities to address the growing complexity of modern consumer requirements and performance specifications, with USA operations leading investments in certified palm oil systems.
From 2030 to 2035, demand is forecast to grow from USD 3.25 billion to USD 3.90 billion, adding another USD 0.65 billion, which constitutes 55.56% of the overall ten-year expansion. This period is expected to be characterized by expansion of premium certified palm oil integration, development of advanced specialty applications and sustainable formulations, and implementation of specialized traceability systems across different food applications. The growing adoption of environmental responsibility principles and enhanced sustainability requirements, particularly in West Coast and Northeast regions, will drive demand for more sophisticated palm oil systems and integrated sustainable sourcing platforms.
Between 2020 and 2025, palm oil demand in the USA experienced steady expansion, driven by increasing food processing requirements in manufacturing sectors and growing awareness of palm oil benefits for cost-effective cooking applications and industrial uses. The sector developed as food companies and oleochemical manufacturers, especially in major industrial corridors, recognized the need for proven vegetable oil solutions and reliable ingredient systems to achieve operational targets while meeting cost efficiency expectations and regulatory requirements. Palm oil suppliers and processing providers began emphasizing proper quality integration and supply optimization to maintain competitive advantages and commercial viability.
USA Palm Oil Demand Key Takeaways
Why is the USA Palm Oil Demand Growing?
Demand expansion is being supported by the accelerating emphasis on cost-effective ingredient consumption and food processing transformation nationwide, with the USA maintaining its position as a food manufacturing and industrial processing leadership region, and the corresponding need for effective vegetable oil systems for production management, quality control processing, and performance integration. Modern food manufacturers rely on palm oil technologies to ensure operational competitiveness, ingredient cost compliance, and optimal pathway achievement toward efficient production operations. Advanced operational requirements necessitate comprehensive vegetable oil solutions including specialized processing capabilities, quality control systems, and cost optimization infrastructure to address diverse application needs and performance specifications.
The growing emphasis on sustainable sourcing adoption and increasing federal and state-level environmental regulations, particularly certified palm oil programs across the USA, are driving demand for palm oil systems from proven suppliers with appropriate food expertise and quality management capabilities. Food manufacturers and oleochemical companies are increasingly investing in palm oil sourcing and integrated sustainable solutions to enhance operational profiles, access cost optimization trends, and demonstrate environmental leadership in competitive commercial environments. Environmental policies and sustainability compliance requirements are establishing standardized sourcing pathways that require certified palm oil systems and performance assurance, with USA operations often pioneering large-scale implementation of advanced palm oil technologies.
Opportunity Pathways - Demand for Palm Oil in the United States
The palm oil demand in the USA is positioned for robust expansion, growing from USD 2.73 billion in 2025 to USD 3.90 billion by 2035, reflecting a 3.50% CAGR. Rising adoption of versatile vegetable oil systems in food processing operations, oleochemical facilities, and biofuel applications is driving growth as manufacturers seek palm oil solutions that maximize cost efficiency and comply with stringent ingredient standards. Additionally, demand from refined palm oil applications and advanced processing implementations strengthens opportunities for both sophisticated sustainable platforms and integrated ingredient solutions.
Manufacturers focusing on sustainable sourcing implementations, cost-effective processing integration, and advanced specialty capabilities stand to gain from evolving operational standards and customer expectations for quality processing, reliability, and supply optimization.
Pathway A - Sustainable Sourcing Implementations and Food Processing Applications. Food manufacturers face increasing demands for reliable sustainable solutions in modern processing facilities. Certified palm oil enables enhanced supply transparency and comprehensive monitoring capabilities without compromising production performance. Solutions targeting large-scale manufacturers, food companies, and processing facilities can achieve strong adoption rates through sustainability optimization and reliability improvements. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 185.00--265.00 million.
Pathway B - Cost-effective Processing and Advanced Refining Systems. The growth in food processing optimization, ingredient cost management, and production operational management creates robust demand for refined palm oil ensuring efficiency in manufacturing processes. Manufacturers offering cost-effective processing solutions for food applications can build relationships with equipment suppliers and ingredient integrators. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 145.00--210.00 million.
Pathway C - Crude Palm Oil and Industrial Applications. Food manufacturers are increasingly adopting crude palm oil systems for consistent cost control. Collaborations with equipment manufacturers for integrated industrial solutions can unlock large-volume supply contracts and long-term partnerships in precision food applications. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 125.00--185.00 million.
Pathway D - Oleochemical and Industrial Solutions. Environmental requirements and operational flexibility demands are driving preference for technical-grade palm oil platforms with superior processing capabilities. Suppliers offering comprehensive oleochemical solutions with exceptional operational characteristics can differentiate offerings and attract environmentally-focused organizations. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 105.00--150.00 million.
Pathway E - Biofuel and Energy Applications. Critical energy applications require specialized palm oil configurations with optimized processing features and enhanced fuel properties. Manufacturers investing in biofuel development can secure advantages in serving performance-critical energy applications. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 85.00--125.00 million.
Pathway F - Service and Support Networks. Comprehensive service networks offering deployment, training, and ongoing operational support create recurring revenue opportunities. Companies building strong technical support capabilities can capture ongoing relationships and enhance customer satisfaction across food processing facilities. Estimated revenue opportunity: USD 65.00--95.00 million.
Segmental Analysis
The demand is segmented by product, end use, and region. By product, sales are divided into crude palm oil, refined palm oil, palm kernel oil, and others categories. In terms of end use, demand is segmented into food processing, oleochemicals, biofuel, and others. Regionally, demand is divided into West, Northeast, Midwest, and South, with West representing a key growth and innovation hub for palm oil technologies.
By Product, Crude Palm Oil Segment Accounts for 46.80% Share FACTMR
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Fuelling the future with UCOs energy for the UK
From waste stream to sustainable energy. Suzanne McKenzie, Sales Director at Lifecycle Oils on how cooking oil is being transformed into biofuel
The UK’s food industry produces millions of litres of used cooking oil (UCO) every day via food service outlets and food manufacturers. Historically this UCO was treated as a waste product, presenting significant challenges in disposal and compliance. When not properly disposed of, fats, oils and grease (FOG) can lead to severe drain blockages, environmental pollution and hefty fines for businesses under the Water Industry Act 1991.
Yet today, our attitudes towards waste have come full circle, and UCO is now a valuable feedstock for advanced, second-generation biofuels. That is why we buy used cooking oil from the food businesses, turning it into a revenue stream for them.
From a sustainability perspective, there are huge benefits from using UCO to create biofuels. Unlike first-generation biofuels made from virgin crops like palm oil or rapeseed, UCO-derived fuels do not create competition for land that could be used for food production, nor do they drive agricultural expansion, deforestation, or biodiversity loss.
By repurposing a waste stream, we are sidestepping the significant carbon emissions associated with additional agricultural production and land-use change. We’re also not competing with the food chain, which can drive price pressures in the edible oils market.
There are also huge carbon savings when compared to conventional fossil fuels. Biodiesel from UCO produces around 80-90 per cent less carbon than fossil fuel diesel, and 40 per cent less carbon than first-generation biofuels made from virgin feedstocks.
A CLOSED-LOOP SERVICE IN ACTION
At Lifecycle Oils, we run a fully closed-loop service that manages the entire lifecycle of cooking oil, transforming it from a potential liability into a renewable energy resource. This is how the process works.
Sustainable Supply and Management: We begin by supplying the food industry with sustainably sourced fresh cooking oils. We then provide FOG management services to help businesses prevent costly blockages and remain compliant with environmental regulations.
Nationwide Collection: We collect the UCO from a wide network of food manufacturers, foodservice providers, oil aggregators and household waste sites. Our logistics are tailored for the industry, handling a range of containers including 60L barrels, 120L wheelie bins, 1,000L Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and even oil tankers.
Advanced Biofuel Processing: The collected UCO is transported to a new, state-of-the-art biofuels processing plant in Wednesbury, West Midlands, where it is turned into our own patented LF100 biofuel and other biofuel feedstocks.
Biofuel supply: We then sell the LF100 to UK manufacturers, as well as the entertainment and leisure industry, where it is used in generators to power a wide range of operations. We sell other biofuel feedstocks for further processing into various biofuels, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).
PRODUCING SUSTAINABLE BIOFUELS
To achieve the volumes needed, the Wednesbury facility opened in May 2025. This modern biofuel plant in the Midlands can produce millions of litres of biofuel and biofuel products every week. It’s where LF100 biofuel is produced, a second-generation biofuel designed to be as sustainable as possible, eliminating the chemical treatment stage traditionally required to turn UCO into biofuel. Instead, a multi-stage filtration and extended warm settling process is used, which takes approximately 14 days to complete. FMJUK
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November 14, 2025
EU countries deadlocked over changes to deforestation rules
As talks stall, the Danish presidency prepares a new compromise proposal
EU countries failed to reach a common position on proposed changes to the bloc’s landmark deforestation rules during a meeting of EU envoys on Wednesday, as divisions persisted over how far to go in reopening the text.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires importers of cocoa, coffee, palm oil, cattle, timber, and rubber to prove their products are not linked to deforestation. The European Commission proposed last month to reopen the rules to ease implementation and avoid overburdening the IT system needed to share compliance data.
The Danish Council presidency circulated a compromise on Monday that would postpone the EUDR’s entry into force by one year – from December 2025 to December 2026 – and remove the six-month grace period initially proposed by the Commission. The Danish draft maintained the simplification measures proposed by the Commission but stopped short of introducing new ones.
However, there was no clear majority in favour of the Danish proposal, EU diplomatic sources told Euractiv. While most delegations supported delaying implementation by a year, one diplomat said, divisions centred on whether to include a “review clause” that would allow the legislation to be reopened again next year for further changes.
Following Austria’s move last week, Sweden – a major EU forestry country – circulated its own proposal, which also includes a one-year delay, a review clause, and the deletion of reference-number requirements for downstream operators.
The main elements of the Swedish proposal were backed by at least 10 countries, but still fell short of a majority. Diplomatic sources pointed that big member states like France and Spain didn’t support it, while Germany – likely due to internal disagreements in the government coalition – refrained from taking a clear position. The Commission also rejected the idea of introducing a review clause, a source added.
With member states deadlocked, the Danish presidency is expected to put forward a new compromise by the end of this week, or early next week. Time is running out, as an agreement with the European Parliament needs to be reached by the week of 15 December. Euractiv
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"Unprecedented deregulation?” EU member states push for third EUDR delay
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) faces its third major postponement, with a draft negotiation document from the Danish EU Council Presidency proposing to push the main compliance deadline for large and medium companies from December 30, 2025, to December 30, 2026. Small and micro enterprises would have until June 30, 2027, to comply under the proposal, which has garnered support from a majority of member states.
The latest delay marks a significant shift from the European Commission’s (EC) earlier stance. In October, EU Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall proposed postponing enforcement until the end of 2026, citing “serious IT capacity concerns” that could prevent the compliance system from operating at scale. However, that proposal suggested keeping the December 2025 deadline for larger firms while delaying penalties by six months.
The EC’s October proposal also recommended exempting downstream operators and traders from submitting due diligence statements — a move that drew criticism from environmental groups. Isabel Fernandez, senior consultant at Mighty Earth, warned at the time that this exemption would create a major blind spot in the EUDR framework, making it difficult for member state agencies to track down non-compliant products already circulating on the EU market. Food Ingredients First
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EU palm oil imports continue to decline
The downward trend in palm oil imports into the EU-27 continues, as is confirmed by the EU Commission's import figures.
The decline is due to the exclusion of biofuels derived from palm oil from being credited towards national quota obligations. At the same time, imports of waste oils and fats for use in transport fuel production are on the rise.
According to the EU Commission, the European Union imported nearly 958,000 tonnes of palm oil between 1 July and 2 November 2025 – a drop of roughly 20 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.
Malaysia remained the leading supplier, providing 272,000 tonnes and accounting for 28% of total imports.
This represents a slight increase in the country's exports compared to the reference period. Indonesia ranked second with 261,000 tonnes, marking a sharp decline.
On the recipient side, the Netherlands remained the leading hub for European palm oil trading and a key location for biofuel production.
At 353,000 tonnes, the country absorbed roughly 12% more palm oil than in the same period the previous year.
Italy took second place among importing countries, receiving 303,000 tonnes, which represents a decrease of 8%.
Greece recorded the sharpest decline (-91%), followed by Sweden (-37 %) and Denmark (-30%). Germany imported 78,000 tonnes, down 13% year-on-year. In contrast, Belgium and Spain slightly increased their import volumes.
According to research by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), these countries, along with the Netherlands, are among the few EU countries showing an upward import trend.
From the perspective of the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP), the continued decline in imports reflects the fundamentally critical public debate on palm oil.
In several EU member states, this has already led to the exclusion of biofuels derived from palm oil from counting towards quota obligations.
Such exclusions must be implemented across the entire EU by 2030. The figures also clearly show that there has been an increase in demand for imports of waste oils and fats used in biodiesel and HVO production to compensate for the decline in palm oil imports.
Depending on waste category, these imports can be counted double towards national quota obligations.
According to the UFOP, this double counting has created incentives to commit fraud and also generated virtual GHG reduction quotas that are not eligible for credit towards climate mitigation targets in the transport sector. Biofuels News
---------
Airlangga: Palm Oil Still Key Pillar of Economy, Clean Energy Transition
Jakarta. Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto reaffirmed that palm oil remains a backbone of Indonesia’s economy and clean energy strategy, backed by strong exports and a steady domestic market.
As of September, the trade balance recorded a $4.34 billion surplus, driven by 28.55 million tons of palm oil exports worth $27 billion. “And the palm oil industry remains Indonesia’s most important economic pillar,” Airlangga said at the 21st Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and 2026 Price Outlook in Nusa Dua on Thursday. “Up to September 2025, our trade balance posted a $4.34 billion surplus, with palm oil as one of the main contributors.”
He said palm oil continues to support economic resilience, with GDP growing 5.04 percent in the third quarter, investment hitting Rp 1,434.3 trillion, and inflation at 2.86 percent. India and China remain the biggest export markets, while Japan and New Zealand are growing destinations. Jakarta Globe
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Malaysia risks RM7bil loss without palm oil replanting
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia risks losing RM7 billion in export revenue if it fails to replant oil palm trees across 520,000 hectares of ageing plantations.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the country's replanting rate in 2024 was about 2 per cent — well below the ideal target of 4 to 5 per cent annually.
"If we fail to replant trees aged over 25 years, covering 520,000 hectares, we could potentially lose almost RM7 billion in export revenue.
"That is why, as palm oil is the biggest contributor to our agriculture sector, we must continue replanting consistently," he said during the Oral Question and Answer Session in the Dewan Rakyat.
Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer after Indonesia, relies on the crop not only for billions in export revenue but also to supply products ranging from cooking oil and bread to cakes, cookies, cosmetics, soaps and biofuels.
Johari also said the ministry remained concerned and was working to address the issue, which stemmed partly from limited funds available to smallholders. NST
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EU countries deadlocked over changes to deforestation rules
As talks stall, the Danish presidency prepares a new compromise proposal
EU countries failed to reach a common position on proposed changes to the bloc’s landmark deforestation rules during a meeting of EU envoys on Wednesday, as divisions persisted over how far to go in reopening the text.
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires importers of cocoa, coffee, palm oil, cattle, timber, and rubber to prove their products are not linked to deforestation. The European Commission proposed last month to reopen the rules to ease implementation and avoid overburdening the IT system needed to share compliance data.
The Danish Council presidency circulated a compromise on Monday that would postpone the EUDR’s entry into force by one year – from December 2025 to December 2026 – and remove the six-month grace period initially proposed by the Commission. The Danish draft maintained the simplification measures proposed by the Commission but stopped short of introducing new ones.
However, there was no clear majority in favour of the Danish proposal, EU diplomatic sources told Euractiv. While most delegations supported delaying implementation by a year, one diplomat said, divisions centred on whether to include a “review clause” that would allow the legislation to be reopened again next year for further changes.
Following Austria’s move last week, Sweden – a major EU forestry country – circulated its own proposal, which also includes a one-year delay, a review clause, and the deletion of reference-number requirements for downstream operators.
The main elements of the Swedish proposal were backed by at least 10 countries, but still fell short of a majority. Diplomatic sources pointed that big member states like France and Spain didn’t support it, while Germany – likely due to internal disagreements in the government coalition – refrained from taking a clear position. The Commission also rejected the idea of introducing a review clause, a source added.
With member states deadlocked, the Danish presidency is expected to put forward a new compromise by the end of this week, or early next week. Time is running out, as an agreement with the European Parliament needs to be reached by the week of 15 December. Euractiv
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"Unprecedented deregulation?” EU member states push for third EUDR delay
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) faces its third major postponement, with a draft negotiation document from the Danish EU Council Presidency proposing to push the main compliance deadline for large and medium companies from December 30, 2025, to December 30, 2026. Small and micro enterprises would have until June 30, 2027, to comply under the proposal, which has garnered support from a majority of member states.
The latest delay marks a significant shift from the European Commission’s (EC) earlier stance. In October, EU Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall proposed postponing enforcement until the end of 2026, citing “serious IT capacity concerns” that could prevent the compliance system from operating at scale. However, that proposal suggested keeping the December 2025 deadline for larger firms while delaying penalties by six months.
The EC’s October proposal also recommended exempting downstream operators and traders from submitting due diligence statements — a move that drew criticism from environmental groups. Isabel Fernandez, senior consultant at Mighty Earth, warned at the time that this exemption would create a major blind spot in the EUDR framework, making it difficult for member state agencies to track down non-compliant products already circulating on the EU market. Food Ingredients First
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EU palm oil imports continue to decline
The downward trend in palm oil imports into the EU-27 continues, as is confirmed by the EU Commission's import figures.
The decline is due to the exclusion of biofuels derived from palm oil from being credited towards national quota obligations. At the same time, imports of waste oils and fats for use in transport fuel production are on the rise.
According to the EU Commission, the European Union imported nearly 958,000 tonnes of palm oil between 1 July and 2 November 2025 – a drop of roughly 20 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year.
Malaysia remained the leading supplier, providing 272,000 tonnes and accounting for 28% of total imports.
This represents a slight increase in the country's exports compared to the reference period. Indonesia ranked second with 261,000 tonnes, marking a sharp decline.
On the recipient side, the Netherlands remained the leading hub for European palm oil trading and a key location for biofuel production.
At 353,000 tonnes, the country absorbed roughly 12% more palm oil than in the same period the previous year.
Italy took second place among importing countries, receiving 303,000 tonnes, which represents a decrease of 8%.
Greece recorded the sharpest decline (-91%), followed by Sweden (-37 %) and Denmark (-30%). Germany imported 78,000 tonnes, down 13% year-on-year. In contrast, Belgium and Spain slightly increased their import volumes.
According to research by Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), these countries, along with the Netherlands, are among the few EU countries showing an upward import trend.
From the perspective of the Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP), the continued decline in imports reflects the fundamentally critical public debate on palm oil.
In several EU member states, this has already led to the exclusion of biofuels derived from palm oil from counting towards quota obligations.
Such exclusions must be implemented across the entire EU by 2030. The figures also clearly show that there has been an increase in demand for imports of waste oils and fats used in biodiesel and HVO production to compensate for the decline in palm oil imports.
Depending on waste category, these imports can be counted double towards national quota obligations.
According to the UFOP, this double counting has created incentives to commit fraud and also generated virtual GHG reduction quotas that are not eligible for credit towards climate mitigation targets in the transport sector. Biofuels News
---------
Airlangga: Palm Oil Still Key Pillar of Economy, Clean Energy Transition
Jakarta. Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto reaffirmed that palm oil remains a backbone of Indonesia’s economy and clean energy strategy, backed by strong exports and a steady domestic market.
As of September, the trade balance recorded a $4.34 billion surplus, driven by 28.55 million tons of palm oil exports worth $27 billion. “And the palm oil industry remains Indonesia’s most important economic pillar,” Airlangga said at the 21st Indonesian Palm Oil Conference and 2026 Price Outlook in Nusa Dua on Thursday. “Up to September 2025, our trade balance posted a $4.34 billion surplus, with palm oil as one of the main contributors.”
He said palm oil continues to support economic resilience, with GDP growing 5.04 percent in the third quarter, investment hitting Rp 1,434.3 trillion, and inflation at 2.86 percent. India and China remain the biggest export markets, while Japan and New Zealand are growing destinations. Jakarta Globe
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Malaysia risks RM7bil loss without palm oil replanting
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia risks losing RM7 billion in export revenue if it fails to replant oil palm trees across 520,000 hectares of ageing plantations.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the country's replanting rate in 2024 was about 2 per cent — well below the ideal target of 4 to 5 per cent annually.
"If we fail to replant trees aged over 25 years, covering 520,000 hectares, we could potentially lose almost RM7 billion in export revenue.
"That is why, as palm oil is the biggest contributor to our agriculture sector, we must continue replanting consistently," he said during the Oral Question and Answer Session in the Dewan Rakyat.
Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer after Indonesia, relies on the crop not only for billions in export revenue but also to supply products ranging from cooking oil and bread to cakes, cookies, cosmetics, soaps and biofuels.
Johari also said the ministry remained concerned and was working to address the issue, which stemmed partly from limited funds available to smallholders. NST
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November 13, 2025
Malaysia's Palm Oil Output Likely To Surpass 20 Million Tonnes For first Time In 2025
Malaysia's crude palm oil production is expected to surpass 20 million metric tonnes for the first time in 2025, supported by favourable weather, improved labour supply, and higher-yielding new plantations, trade and industry officials told Reuters.
The record output means the world's second-largest producer of the tropical oil is likely to end the year with higher-than-expected stocks, weighing on benchmark Malaysian futures FCPOc3.
This year's output is estimated to be 3.4% higher than last year's 19.34 million tonnes and to surpass the previous record of 19.96 million tonnes set in 2015, according to estimates from a dozen trade and industry officials.
Production in November is expected to ease from record October levels, with a further decline likely in December, but output should remain above last year's levels, said Anilkumar Bagani, research head of Mumbai-based vegetable oil broker Sunvin Group.
"Even with a drop in November and December, total production is still set to top 20 million tonnes," he said.
In October, production rose 11.02% month-on-month to 2.04 million tonnes, its highest since August 2015, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
Favourable Weather, Younger Palms
The recent rise in production is largely due to favourable weather, which supported better fruit development and harvesting, as well as replanted younger palms that are yielding more fresh fruit bunches (FFB), MPOB's director general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said.
A gradual increase in harvesters and fruit collectors, following the approval of special labour quotas, has also helped estates optimise operations and reduce crop losses, Kadir said.
Major planters have cited similar factors in their recent financial results, with SD Guthrie Berhad crediting its FFB increase to favourable weather and enhanced labour efficiency, while Genting Plantations reported growth due to conducive weather conditions and better crop recovery.
Malaysia's palm oil production typically declines in November and December. Over the past 25 years, November output has fallen an average of 6.8%, and December by 8.9%.
This year, November production could drop 9% from October to 1.86 million tonnes, followed by an 11% decline in December to 1.66 million tonnes, according to traders and industry officials.
Despite this seasonal dip, total output for 2025 is expected to exceed the milestone of 20 million tonnes, which industry players had not anticipated at the start of the year, said a Kuala Lumpur-based dealer with a trade house.
The MPOB has maintained its estimate for palm oil production at 19.5 million tonnes in 2025. ESM Magazine
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Palm oil producers call for clarity as EUDR delay debate deepens
Sustainable palm oil is part of the solution, but EUDR uncertainty threatens smallholders and markets, say producers
Palm oil producers are calling for clarity from the European Union on the implementation of its Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), as political uncertainty mounts after Austria’s call to ‘stop the clock’ on the regulation’s timeline.
A high-level delegation from the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), led by Secretary-General Izzana Salleh, recently concluded a mission to Brussels, warning that the absence of a clear direction risks undermining compliance efforts and market stability.
Across a series of meetings, the delegation underlined that while palm oil-producing countries fully support the regulation’s environmental goals, its rollout must be practical and fair, especially for the communities that depend on palm oil cultivation.
Progress is real
CPOPC highlighted that producer countries have substantially advanced their readiness, with companies aligning their systems to meet the regulation – something no other commodity can claim.
Malaysia’s e-MSPO platform, built around automated documentation and blockchain-style verification, was presented as a cost-effective model for transparent due diligence. Indonesia’s ISPO certification programme has also expanded significantly, with more than 6.2 million hectares certified as of early 2025.
But despite the progress, the delegation said operators still face unresolved technical and operational challenges.
These include data-format constraints such as the shapefile size cap that limits full geolocation datasets, and long export lead times that may result in consignments reaching EU entry points months after their initial order dates, complicating treatment under the new rules.
Industry advisor Pietro Paganini, who joined discussions, described the EUDR as accelerating “an irreversible transformation” of supply chains, driven by AI, drone monitoring, satellite imaging and digital traceability platforms. These tools, he noted, are now “strategic assets”, enabling a higher degree of verification across the sector.
Social impacts at the forefront
CPOPC repeatedly stressed that environmental objectives cannot be met by shifting the burden to those least equipped to comply. The delegation warned that complex requirements risk penalising smallholders and threatening livelihoods in producing regions, ultimately weakening the regulation’s effectiveness.
At the same time, producer countries argued that palm oil also has “good stories to tell” and should not be overshadowed by other commodities in the EUDR debate. They said the EU should recognise progress already achieved across the sector, emphasising that palm oil is part of the solution rather than the problem.
Producing countries have invested heavily in sustainability at the national level, but cautioned that the EU’s approach must respect the fact that there is not just one definition of sustainability.
Delegates also pointed to official data showing that deforestation rates in Malaysia and Indonesia have been declining, which demonstrates meaningful alignment with the EUDR’s core objectives.
Concerns were echoed by European stakeholders. In talks with CPOPC, COPA-COGECA – representing European farmers and cooperatives – cautioned that compliance systems must reflect real-world constraints faced by farmers globally.
The European Cocoa Association (ECA) also warned that long and complex supply chains may not be able to adapt within the proposed timelines.
Openness amid tension
In meetings with the European Commission’s environment directorate, CPOPC welcomed the Commission’s efforts to maintain constructive engagement, noting the importance of sustained cooperation through the Ad Hoc Joint Task Force to align regulatory requirements with realities on the ground.
The Commission’s trade section also signalled its commitment to ensuring continuity, pointing out that disrupted exports would affect European markets.
Austria breaks ranks
Producer countries said Austria’s request has unsettled the debate, arguing that changing the timeline now risks undoing progress made by companies that have already invested heavily in compliance systems.
They warned that reopening contentious elements could lead to delays and political fragmentation among member states.
In response to Euractiv’s query, a Commission spokesperson rejected Austria’s proposal to pause the timeline, saying: “We do not consider a separate ‘stop-the-clock’ initiative to be a politically viable option. Economic operators expect urgent clarity and predictability both on the content and the timing of the law. They need to prepare for both.”
Discussions in Brussels indicated that various forms of postponement have been considered to ease the transition for operators, ranging from six months to two years.
With 15 December set as the critical date, producing countries and market observers await final clarity on the regulation’s future, hoping that predictable, workable rules will emerge rather than extended uncertainty. Euractiv
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EU Trade Pact A Boon for Indonesian Palm Oil, But Deforestation Law Remains in the Way
Jakarta. Indonesian palm oil producers are confident that Jakarta’s upcoming trade deal with the European Union, or EU, can greatly bump up exports. However, Jakarta still has to overcome the bloc’s anti-deforestation law that restricts Indonesian palm oil’s entry.
Indonesia recently signed the substantive conclusion to its CEPA, short for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with the EU. The agreement will have to undergo some lawmaking processes before the tariff eliminations can come into effect as early as 2027. Eddy Martono, the chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki), admitted Thursday that the so-called EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) remained a major obstacle in Jakarta’s trade despite the freshly announced pact. The EUDR will require any imports of palm oil to prove that their products do not come from deforested land using geographical coordinates. Indonesia has repeatedly slammed the EUDR, citing that the stringent geolocation requirements will only burden smallholders.
“This highway [CEPA] is huge, but it has a complex new toll system, namely the EUDR. We cannot simply admire the open road; we must be ready to navigate it. This means we must be strategic, compliant, and ready to prove our capabilities. We implement governance. The EUDR is not just a rulebook, it is a challenge to our system. How do we respond? We fight facts with facts and standards with better standards,” Eddy told a palm oil conference in Bali.
Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil supplier, needs to strengthen and promote its existing ISPO standards, according to Eddy. The ISPO, also known as the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil, is a mandatory certification for palm oil growers and producers which prove that their operations are environmentally and socially sound.
“We must strengthen ourselves, making ISPO certification not just a badge, but the global gold standard. This is more than just compliance; it's about sovereignty and pride," Eddy said.
As of September 2025, Indonesian palm oil production exceeded 43 million tons, up by 11 percent year-on-year. The country had exported at least 25 million tons of palm oil, resulting in $27.3 billion foreign exchange. Domestic consumption remained stable at 18.5 million tons, up from 17.6 million tons in the same period last year, Gapki reported.
The government reported that Indonesia-EU trade totaled $30.4 billion in 2024. Indonesia also registered a $4.5 billion surplus that year.
The EU has introduced a phasing-in period for the EUDR, postponing its implementation to end of 2025 for big and medium-sized enterprises. Micro and small businesses have time until June 30, 2026. Jakarta Globe
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Indonesia and Pakistan Strengthen Food Security Partnership Through Palm Oil Cooperation
Indonesia - Pakistan collaboration in palm oil trade reinforces affordability, market stability, and shared economic resilience
KARACHI, PAKISTAN, November 12, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA) has reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s food security through a steady and affordable supply of palm oil. With over 90 percent of Pakistan’s edible oil needs met through imports, and around 75 percent of that sourced from Indonesia - valued at more than US$2.5 billion annually - the partnership remains central to ensuring price stability and everyday access for millions of Pakistani households.
A Vital Link in Pakistan’s Food Economy
Palm oil is an essential part of Pakistan’s food landscape. It is used in ghee, margarine, confectionery, noodles, and bakery products, as well as in everyday cooking - from parathas to mithai. Its high heat tolerance, long shelf life, and affordability make it the preferred choice for both households and the food industry.
Local oilseed production currently meets less than 10 percent of national demand, leaving Pakistan exposed to global price shocks. Indonesia’s consistent palm oil exports help offset these risks by maintaining a stable supply chain. This reliability ensures that essential foods remain affordable for consumers and viable for producers across the country.
Partnership Beyond Trade
The Indonesia - Pakistan relationship in palm oil has grown beyond commodity exchange into a strategic collaboration that supports economic resilience. The Pakistan - Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), implemented in 2013, formalized tariff concessions that deepened bilateral cooperation. Under this framework, Indonesian palm oil exports have anchored Pakistan’s food manufacturing and contributed to broader trade reciprocity in textiles and agriculture. EIN Presswire
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Nigerian palm oil giants Okomu, Presco poised for profit surge on tight supply
Palm oil is poised for a bullish trend as Indonesia ramps up its biofuel ambitions, which could benefit the Nigerian industry.
This shift is expected to decrease the amount of palm oil available for export from the world’s leading producer, intensifying a global supply squeeze.
The cash crop used in many products, from chocolate to cosmetics, has experienced fluctuations in recent months due to concerns over growing stockpiles and erratic demand.
Currently, the price stands at $999.61 per ton, down 6% year-to-date.
Indonesia, already a global leader in biofuels, plans to boost its domestic biodiesel mandate from 40% to 50% by the second half of next year. This initiative, known as the B50 program, aims to reduce the country’s substantial fuel import costs while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
However, this policy, combined with stagnant output growth from the world’s largest producers, could result in higher global prices, alter vegetable oil supply flows, and potentially fuel food inflation as buyers may need to turn to more expensive alternatives.
Customers may have to seek supplies elsewhere because of Indonesia’s strict export controls intended to support its biodiesel production. Palm oil, derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), accounts for approximately 38% of all vegetable oil produced globally, making it the most widely produced and consumed vegetable oil in the world. Naira Metrics
Malaysia's Palm Oil Output Likely To Surpass 20 Million Tonnes For first Time In 2025
Malaysia's crude palm oil production is expected to surpass 20 million metric tonnes for the first time in 2025, supported by favourable weather, improved labour supply, and higher-yielding new plantations, trade and industry officials told Reuters.
The record output means the world's second-largest producer of the tropical oil is likely to end the year with higher-than-expected stocks, weighing on benchmark Malaysian futures FCPOc3.
This year's output is estimated to be 3.4% higher than last year's 19.34 million tonnes and to surpass the previous record of 19.96 million tonnes set in 2015, according to estimates from a dozen trade and industry officials.
Production in November is expected to ease from record October levels, with a further decline likely in December, but output should remain above last year's levels, said Anilkumar Bagani, research head of Mumbai-based vegetable oil broker Sunvin Group.
"Even with a drop in November and December, total production is still set to top 20 million tonnes," he said.
In October, production rose 11.02% month-on-month to 2.04 million tonnes, its highest since August 2015, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
Favourable Weather, Younger Palms
The recent rise in production is largely due to favourable weather, which supported better fruit development and harvesting, as well as replanted younger palms that are yielding more fresh fruit bunches (FFB), MPOB's director general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said.
A gradual increase in harvesters and fruit collectors, following the approval of special labour quotas, has also helped estates optimise operations and reduce crop losses, Kadir said.
Major planters have cited similar factors in their recent financial results, with SD Guthrie Berhad crediting its FFB increase to favourable weather and enhanced labour efficiency, while Genting Plantations reported growth due to conducive weather conditions and better crop recovery.
Malaysia's palm oil production typically declines in November and December. Over the past 25 years, November output has fallen an average of 6.8%, and December by 8.9%.
This year, November production could drop 9% from October to 1.86 million tonnes, followed by an 11% decline in December to 1.66 million tonnes, according to traders and industry officials.
Despite this seasonal dip, total output for 2025 is expected to exceed the milestone of 20 million tonnes, which industry players had not anticipated at the start of the year, said a Kuala Lumpur-based dealer with a trade house.
The MPOB has maintained its estimate for palm oil production at 19.5 million tonnes in 2025. ESM Magazine
--------
Palm oil producers call for clarity as EUDR delay debate deepens
Sustainable palm oil is part of the solution, but EUDR uncertainty threatens smallholders and markets, say producers
Palm oil producers are calling for clarity from the European Union on the implementation of its Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), as political uncertainty mounts after Austria’s call to ‘stop the clock’ on the regulation’s timeline.
A high-level delegation from the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), led by Secretary-General Izzana Salleh, recently concluded a mission to Brussels, warning that the absence of a clear direction risks undermining compliance efforts and market stability.
Across a series of meetings, the delegation underlined that while palm oil-producing countries fully support the regulation’s environmental goals, its rollout must be practical and fair, especially for the communities that depend on palm oil cultivation.
Progress is real
CPOPC highlighted that producer countries have substantially advanced their readiness, with companies aligning their systems to meet the regulation – something no other commodity can claim.
Malaysia’s e-MSPO platform, built around automated documentation and blockchain-style verification, was presented as a cost-effective model for transparent due diligence. Indonesia’s ISPO certification programme has also expanded significantly, with more than 6.2 million hectares certified as of early 2025.
But despite the progress, the delegation said operators still face unresolved technical and operational challenges.
These include data-format constraints such as the shapefile size cap that limits full geolocation datasets, and long export lead times that may result in consignments reaching EU entry points months after their initial order dates, complicating treatment under the new rules.
Industry advisor Pietro Paganini, who joined discussions, described the EUDR as accelerating “an irreversible transformation” of supply chains, driven by AI, drone monitoring, satellite imaging and digital traceability platforms. These tools, he noted, are now “strategic assets”, enabling a higher degree of verification across the sector.
Social impacts at the forefront
CPOPC repeatedly stressed that environmental objectives cannot be met by shifting the burden to those least equipped to comply. The delegation warned that complex requirements risk penalising smallholders and threatening livelihoods in producing regions, ultimately weakening the regulation’s effectiveness.
At the same time, producer countries argued that palm oil also has “good stories to tell” and should not be overshadowed by other commodities in the EUDR debate. They said the EU should recognise progress already achieved across the sector, emphasising that palm oil is part of the solution rather than the problem.
Producing countries have invested heavily in sustainability at the national level, but cautioned that the EU’s approach must respect the fact that there is not just one definition of sustainability.
Delegates also pointed to official data showing that deforestation rates in Malaysia and Indonesia have been declining, which demonstrates meaningful alignment with the EUDR’s core objectives.
Concerns were echoed by European stakeholders. In talks with CPOPC, COPA-COGECA – representing European farmers and cooperatives – cautioned that compliance systems must reflect real-world constraints faced by farmers globally.
The European Cocoa Association (ECA) also warned that long and complex supply chains may not be able to adapt within the proposed timelines.
Openness amid tension
In meetings with the European Commission’s environment directorate, CPOPC welcomed the Commission’s efforts to maintain constructive engagement, noting the importance of sustained cooperation through the Ad Hoc Joint Task Force to align regulatory requirements with realities on the ground.
The Commission’s trade section also signalled its commitment to ensuring continuity, pointing out that disrupted exports would affect European markets.
Austria breaks ranks
Producer countries said Austria’s request has unsettled the debate, arguing that changing the timeline now risks undoing progress made by companies that have already invested heavily in compliance systems.
They warned that reopening contentious elements could lead to delays and political fragmentation among member states.
In response to Euractiv’s query, a Commission spokesperson rejected Austria’s proposal to pause the timeline, saying: “We do not consider a separate ‘stop-the-clock’ initiative to be a politically viable option. Economic operators expect urgent clarity and predictability both on the content and the timing of the law. They need to prepare for both.”
Discussions in Brussels indicated that various forms of postponement have been considered to ease the transition for operators, ranging from six months to two years.
With 15 December set as the critical date, producing countries and market observers await final clarity on the regulation’s future, hoping that predictable, workable rules will emerge rather than extended uncertainty. Euractiv
--------
EU Trade Pact A Boon for Indonesian Palm Oil, But Deforestation Law Remains in the Way
Jakarta. Indonesian palm oil producers are confident that Jakarta’s upcoming trade deal with the European Union, or EU, can greatly bump up exports. However, Jakarta still has to overcome the bloc’s anti-deforestation law that restricts Indonesian palm oil’s entry.
Indonesia recently signed the substantive conclusion to its CEPA, short for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with the EU. The agreement will have to undergo some lawmaking processes before the tariff eliminations can come into effect as early as 2027. Eddy Martono, the chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (Gapki), admitted Thursday that the so-called EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) remained a major obstacle in Jakarta’s trade despite the freshly announced pact. The EUDR will require any imports of palm oil to prove that their products do not come from deforested land using geographical coordinates. Indonesia has repeatedly slammed the EUDR, citing that the stringent geolocation requirements will only burden smallholders.
“This highway [CEPA] is huge, but it has a complex new toll system, namely the EUDR. We cannot simply admire the open road; we must be ready to navigate it. This means we must be strategic, compliant, and ready to prove our capabilities. We implement governance. The EUDR is not just a rulebook, it is a challenge to our system. How do we respond? We fight facts with facts and standards with better standards,” Eddy told a palm oil conference in Bali.
Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil supplier, needs to strengthen and promote its existing ISPO standards, according to Eddy. The ISPO, also known as the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil, is a mandatory certification for palm oil growers and producers which prove that their operations are environmentally and socially sound.
“We must strengthen ourselves, making ISPO certification not just a badge, but the global gold standard. This is more than just compliance; it's about sovereignty and pride," Eddy said.
As of September 2025, Indonesian palm oil production exceeded 43 million tons, up by 11 percent year-on-year. The country had exported at least 25 million tons of palm oil, resulting in $27.3 billion foreign exchange. Domestic consumption remained stable at 18.5 million tons, up from 17.6 million tons in the same period last year, Gapki reported.
The government reported that Indonesia-EU trade totaled $30.4 billion in 2024. Indonesia also registered a $4.5 billion surplus that year.
The EU has introduced a phasing-in period for the EUDR, postponing its implementation to end of 2025 for big and medium-sized enterprises. Micro and small businesses have time until June 30, 2026. Jakarta Globe
--------
Indonesia and Pakistan Strengthen Food Security Partnership Through Palm Oil Cooperation
Indonesia - Pakistan collaboration in palm oil trade reinforces affordability, market stability, and shared economic resilience
KARACHI, PAKISTAN, November 12, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA) has reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s food security through a steady and affordable supply of palm oil. With over 90 percent of Pakistan’s edible oil needs met through imports, and around 75 percent of that sourced from Indonesia - valued at more than US$2.5 billion annually - the partnership remains central to ensuring price stability and everyday access for millions of Pakistani households.
A Vital Link in Pakistan’s Food Economy
Palm oil is an essential part of Pakistan’s food landscape. It is used in ghee, margarine, confectionery, noodles, and bakery products, as well as in everyday cooking - from parathas to mithai. Its high heat tolerance, long shelf life, and affordability make it the preferred choice for both households and the food industry.
Local oilseed production currently meets less than 10 percent of national demand, leaving Pakistan exposed to global price shocks. Indonesia’s consistent palm oil exports help offset these risks by maintaining a stable supply chain. This reliability ensures that essential foods remain affordable for consumers and viable for producers across the country.
Partnership Beyond Trade
The Indonesia - Pakistan relationship in palm oil has grown beyond commodity exchange into a strategic collaboration that supports economic resilience. The Pakistan - Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), implemented in 2013, formalized tariff concessions that deepened bilateral cooperation. Under this framework, Indonesian palm oil exports have anchored Pakistan’s food manufacturing and contributed to broader trade reciprocity in textiles and agriculture. EIN Presswire
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Nigerian palm oil giants Okomu, Presco poised for profit surge on tight supply
Palm oil is poised for a bullish trend as Indonesia ramps up its biofuel ambitions, which could benefit the Nigerian industry.
This shift is expected to decrease the amount of palm oil available for export from the world’s leading producer, intensifying a global supply squeeze.
The cash crop used in many products, from chocolate to cosmetics, has experienced fluctuations in recent months due to concerns over growing stockpiles and erratic demand.
Currently, the price stands at $999.61 per ton, down 6% year-to-date.
Indonesia, already a global leader in biofuels, plans to boost its domestic biodiesel mandate from 40% to 50% by the second half of next year. This initiative, known as the B50 program, aims to reduce the country’s substantial fuel import costs while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
However, this policy, combined with stagnant output growth from the world’s largest producers, could result in higher global prices, alter vegetable oil supply flows, and potentially fuel food inflation as buyers may need to turn to more expensive alternatives.
Customers may have to seek supplies elsewhere because of Indonesia’s strict export controls intended to support its biodiesel production. Palm oil, derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis), accounts for approximately 38% of all vegetable oil produced globally, making it the most widely produced and consumed vegetable oil in the world. Naira Metrics
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November 12, 2025
EU countries seek another year-long deforestation law delay
Summary
The draft document, which was seen by Reuters on Tuesday, now suggests deferring the law's application to December 30, 2026 for larger firms, and June 30, 2027 for smaller ones.
The European Commission last month proposed adjustments to ease compliance for smallholders and businesses, but stopped short of delaying the landmark policy. For many member states, "the Commission's proposal alone was not enough," the draft said.
CRITICS WARN OF ENVIRONMENTAL SETBACKS The ban on imports of cocoa, palm oil and other commodities linked to forest destruction is a key plank of the EU's green agenda. This faces pushback from some industries and countries that say the measures are costly and logistically challenging. Initially set to take effect from end-2024, the policy has already been delayed by a year but tensions persist, including complaints from trading partners such as Brazil and the U.S.
EU countries such as Poland and Austria have said European producers cannot comply with traceability rules. Antonie Fountain, head of the VOICE Network which advocates for cocoa sector reform, said the delay makes it difficult to do business in the bloc and was a blow to the EU's credibility. "During the week of COP in Brazil, it couldn't be more ironic," he added. Some food majors such as Nestle (NESN.S), opens new tab, Ferrero and Olam Agri back the law. They warned last month that delaying it endangers forests worldwide and is contrary to the EU's aim of simplifying business rules. Fern campaigner Nicole Polsterer said the delay would stall the significant progress towards traceability made to date in some countries. FINAL NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY Under the law, exporters of commodities such as beef, coffee, soy and rubber would need to provide due diligence statements proving their products did not contribute to forest destruction. EU nations and the European Parliament are racing to seal a deal on final changes by mid-December to avoid the law kicking in as currently planned. Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, authored the negotiating document. A spokesperson for the Danes said the aim was to secure swift backing from member states so they could negotiate a final deal in time. Reuters
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EU deforestation law: vote on fast-tracking simplification proposal
MEPs will decide whether to use the urgency procedure to simplify the EU deforestation law, which ensures products sold in the EU are not sourced from deforested land.
The new regulation, adopted by Parliament on 19 April 2023, aims to fight climate change and biodiversity loss by preventing deforestation related to the EU consumption of cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, soya, wood, rubber, charcoal, printed paper, and cattle. In force since 29 June 2023, the regulation’s provisions are set to apply from 30 December 2025 to large companies and from 30 June 2026 to micro and small enterprises, following a decision in 2024 to postpone these dates by one year.
Parliament will vote on Thursday on a proposal to fast-track a new proposal by the Commission which includes the possibility to reduce obligations for micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries as well as operators and traders that commercialise these products once they have been placed on the EU market.
If plenary decides to apply the urgent procedure, MEPs will vote on the content of the file during the 24-27 November plenary session in Strasbourg. Europarl
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Palm Oil Set to Soar as Indonesia's Biofuel Push Tightens Supply
Bloomberg.com
Palm oil is poised for a bullish run as Indonesia ramps up its biofuel ambitions, a move that is expected to slash supplies available for export ...
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Exports to CPTPP, RCEP countries rise despite uncertain global trade conditions
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 12): Exports to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries increased from January to September 2025 despite uncertain global trade conditions.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) said exports to CPTPP member countries rose by 3.6% to RM362.51 billion for January to September 2025 compared to the same period last year.
“Exports of palm oil and palm-based products increased by 7.5% to RM7.35 billion, while exports of electrical and electronics (E&E) products rose by 19.3% to RM157.02 billion. The Edge
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GVL explains closure of RSPO Complaint
Butaw District, Sinoe County, November 11, 2025: In June 2025, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) closed its complaint against Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL), ending a stop-work order that applied to some areas in Sinoe County.Agriculture fair tickets
This decision recognized GVL’s compliance with the RSPO Complaints Panel’s guidance and its ongoing efforts to address concerns first raised in 2012.
This was not a reversal of the RSPO’s decision, as asserted in a recent Mongabay article (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil must halt Liberian palm oil company’s abuses). It was a ruling based on facts and on due process, following a transparent, publicly accessible complaints procedure.
Throughout this process, GVL has followed the guidance of the RSPO Complaints Panel and an Independent Facilitator, ProForest, which carried out field investigations and led remediation efforts with communities and other stakeholders. The New Dawn
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EU countries seek another year-long deforestation law delay
Summary
- Propose end-Dec 2026 deferral for large firms
- EU race to seal final changes deal by mid-December
- Critics say delay a blow to EU credibility, harms progress
The draft document, which was seen by Reuters on Tuesday, now suggests deferring the law's application to December 30, 2026 for larger firms, and June 30, 2027 for smaller ones.
The European Commission last month proposed adjustments to ease compliance for smallholders and businesses, but stopped short of delaying the landmark policy. For many member states, "the Commission's proposal alone was not enough," the draft said.
CRITICS WARN OF ENVIRONMENTAL SETBACKS The ban on imports of cocoa, palm oil and other commodities linked to forest destruction is a key plank of the EU's green agenda. This faces pushback from some industries and countries that say the measures are costly and logistically challenging. Initially set to take effect from end-2024, the policy has already been delayed by a year but tensions persist, including complaints from trading partners such as Brazil and the U.S.
EU countries such as Poland and Austria have said European producers cannot comply with traceability rules. Antonie Fountain, head of the VOICE Network which advocates for cocoa sector reform, said the delay makes it difficult to do business in the bloc and was a blow to the EU's credibility. "During the week of COP in Brazil, it couldn't be more ironic," he added. Some food majors such as Nestle (NESN.S), opens new tab, Ferrero and Olam Agri back the law. They warned last month that delaying it endangers forests worldwide and is contrary to the EU's aim of simplifying business rules. Fern campaigner Nicole Polsterer said the delay would stall the significant progress towards traceability made to date in some countries. FINAL NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY Under the law, exporters of commodities such as beef, coffee, soy and rubber would need to provide due diligence statements proving their products did not contribute to forest destruction. EU nations and the European Parliament are racing to seal a deal on final changes by mid-December to avoid the law kicking in as currently planned. Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, authored the negotiating document. A spokesperson for the Danes said the aim was to secure swift backing from member states so they could negotiate a final deal in time. Reuters
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EU deforestation law: vote on fast-tracking simplification proposal
MEPs will decide whether to use the urgency procedure to simplify the EU deforestation law, which ensures products sold in the EU are not sourced from deforested land.
The new regulation, adopted by Parliament on 19 April 2023, aims to fight climate change and biodiversity loss by preventing deforestation related to the EU consumption of cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, soya, wood, rubber, charcoal, printed paper, and cattle. In force since 29 June 2023, the regulation’s provisions are set to apply from 30 December 2025 to large companies and from 30 June 2026 to micro and small enterprises, following a decision in 2024 to postpone these dates by one year.
Parliament will vote on Thursday on a proposal to fast-track a new proposal by the Commission which includes the possibility to reduce obligations for micro and small primary operators from low-risk countries as well as operators and traders that commercialise these products once they have been placed on the EU market.
If plenary decides to apply the urgent procedure, MEPs will vote on the content of the file during the 24-27 November plenary session in Strasbourg. Europarl
--------
Palm Oil Set to Soar as Indonesia's Biofuel Push Tightens Supply
Bloomberg.com
Palm oil is poised for a bullish run as Indonesia ramps up its biofuel ambitions, a move that is expected to slash supplies available for export ...
--------
Exports to CPTPP, RCEP countries rise despite uncertain global trade conditions
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 12): Exports to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries increased from January to September 2025 despite uncertain global trade conditions.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) said exports to CPTPP member countries rose by 3.6% to RM362.51 billion for January to September 2025 compared to the same period last year.
“Exports of palm oil and palm-based products increased by 7.5% to RM7.35 billion, while exports of electrical and electronics (E&E) products rose by 19.3% to RM157.02 billion. The Edge
--------
GVL explains closure of RSPO Complaint
Butaw District, Sinoe County, November 11, 2025: In June 2025, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) closed its complaint against Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL), ending a stop-work order that applied to some areas in Sinoe County.Agriculture fair tickets
This decision recognized GVL’s compliance with the RSPO Complaints Panel’s guidance and its ongoing efforts to address concerns first raised in 2012.
This was not a reversal of the RSPO’s decision, as asserted in a recent Mongabay article (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil must halt Liberian palm oil company’s abuses). It was a ruling based on facts and on due process, following a transparent, publicly accessible complaints procedure.
Throughout this process, GVL has followed the guidance of the RSPO Complaints Panel and an Independent Facilitator, ProForest, which carried out field investigations and led remediation efforts with communities and other stakeholders. The New Dawn
--------
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November 11, 2025
Will COP30 pay the price for EU's climate rollback?EU climate ambitions watered down in deregulation drive ahead of COP30, say environmental campaigners.
BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) is tainting its green credentials with a deregulation drive that has watered down progressive laws ahead of this week's U.N. COP30 climate summit, policy analysts warn.
Several EU laws that were designed to reduce Europe's role in driving deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions have been hit with delays and limitations.
Just days before the summit, the EU diluted its climate-change target in a flurry of last-minute negotiations, leaving the door open for a further relaxing of targets down the road.
Critics say the EU - which wants to cut red tape to boost business - couldn't have chosen a worse time given the bloc was expected to play a crucial role at COP after U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a "con job", dumped the Paris accord and kept top officials away from the Brazil talks.
But the bloc now faces a credibility gap, according to green campaigners - just what COP didn't need days before world leaders descend on Brazil for the climate talks.
Here's what you need to know:
Which laws have been revised and why is it happening now?
Agreed in 2022, the EU's deforestation regulation aimed to prevent companies selling commodities - from coffee to palm oil - into the EU market if they had links to deforestation.
But the process has hit delays after companies and governments lobbied EU officials to ease the administrative burden, and will finally take effect in December with reduced reporting obligations for smallholders.
The EU's corporate sustainability law, another hotly contested part of the bloc's green agenda, would make firms clean their supply chains of human rights and environmental abuses, or face fines of up to 5% of global turnover. Context
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Indonesia Seeks New Markets in North Africa Over EU Deforestation Rules
As the world’s leading producer and exporter of palm oil, Indonesia also maintains a significant presence in the global coffee and cocoa markets. The country is now actively pursuing trade ambitions on the African continent.
North African countries could become new growth drivers for Indonesian agricultural exports. They would provide an alternative to the European Union (EU) market, according to Indonesian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno.
In an interview with Bloomberg last week, the official stated that Indonesian authorities are actively seeking new outlets for their commodities. Like other partners exporting to the bloc, the Southeast Asian nation will be impacted by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is set to prohibit the import of products such as cocoa, coffee, soybeans, palm oil, timber, and beef originating from deforested land.
With the EUDR theoretically scheduled to take effect by the end of 2025, Oegroseno suggested that North Africa could absorb coffee and cocoa produced by smallholder farmers who lack the financial means to bear the costs of complying with the new EU rules. Egypt and Libya were cited as target countries.
“Complying with the EU means cost, and the cost of just being compliant is probably even more than the cost of trying to find new markets," Oegroseno added. "While they are incurring costs, the price is not guaranteed.”
While other details on the trade ambitions of the world’s largest palm oil exporter remain sparse, Indonesia produced 180,000 tonnes of cocoa in the 2023/2024 season, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). This volume makes it the top cocoa producer in the Asia & Oceania region and the 7th largest globally. Indonesia is also the world's 5th largest coffee producer and the 3rd leading supplier of robusta coffee, following Vietnam and Brazil.
Regarding market potential in North Africa, the region is home to four of the continent's six largest coffee consumers: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The other two are Ethiopia (1st) and South Africa (5th), according to the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
For cocoa, TradeMap data shows that Egypt was the second-largest African importer of cocoa beans and preparations in 2024, with $210 million in imports, trailing only South Africa. Purchases were also significant in Morocco (approximately $165 million) and Tunisia ($43 million) during the same period. Ecofin
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Malaysia-US Trade Agreement: Food Sector Implications
11-Nov-2025 by Pearly Neo
Malaysia’s latest trade deal with the United States could have significant impacts for the food sector – but not so soon, and not all will benefit
https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2025/11/11/malaysia-us-trade-agreement-food-sector-implications/
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RSPO green palm oil toxic as members turn on certification
IN the lofty parlance of “sustainability”, the fruit of the oil palm still finds itself cast as villain.
Yet when the very gatekeepers of the industry point out that some self-proclaimed champions of the cause are quietly declaring “No Palm Oil” while sitting at the same table as certified sustainable palm oil stakeholders, the contradictions become impossible to ignore.
As Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman and SD Guthrie Bhd managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha reminded delegates at the recent Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) RT2025, “There are brands that sit with us at the same table, claim to believe in sustainable palm oil, yet proudly sell products that say ‘No Palm Oil’.”
What message does that send?
n one hand, these companies endorse RSPO principles and parade sustainability credentials; on the other, they market moral panic in a jar.
The result is a mixed signal that turns sustainability from reform into farce – shifting the narrative from inclusion and improvement, to exclusion and fear.
Mohamad Helmy’s call for honesty, accountability and trust cut through the polite noise. The StarMY
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Malaysia To Expand CAPOC 2026, Enhance Palm Oil Access To Global Markets
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The government will expand the financing scope of the Countering Anti-Palm Oil Campaigns (CAPOC) programme in 2026 to enhance market access and increase exports to priority international markets, said the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK).
Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that part of the allocation will be utilised for initiatives to enhance market access and for Malaysia’s participation in major international trade exhibitions, including Gulfood, Food Ingredients Europe (FI Europe), and Food Ingredients India (FI India).
“These efforts will strengthen Malaysia’s presence on high-impact platforms and support improved export performance,” he said during the Budget 2026 committee-level winding-up debate for KPC in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Chan said CAPOC’s primary focus is to improve global perceptions of Malaysian palm oil more effectively so that negative narratives do not weaken the country’s market position.
“This approach is not just about presenting facts but is designed to enhance and widen market access through narrative influence at the buyer level, among stakeholders, and across credible international media platforms,” he added.
Chan explained that this focus will be intensified next year through a market-access-driven strategy involving direct engagement with buyers and decision-makers, as well as the implementation of trade networking visits that specifically combine market-awareness objectives with export empowerment.
He said that although the narrative on palm oil in 2025 was more focused on public education, next year’s strategy has been strengthened through collaboration with high-impact global media to influence perceptions via platforms popular with consumers, industry players and international policymakers. Bernama
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POSCO International Completes Palm Oil Value Chain in Indonesia
POSCO International is completing a palm oil refining plant in Indonesia in partnership with GS Caltex. The company is also considering additional acquisitions of local palm plantations, planning to aggressively expand its food business by establishing an integrated value chain overseas from refining to bio-raw material extraction.
POSCO International will complete a palm oil refining facility with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons in Kalimantan, Indonesia, in mid-November. The plant was built on a 300,000 square meter site with a total investment of 260 billion won in partnership with GS Caltex. The bio-raw materials and edible oils produced will be exported to Indonesia’s domestic market as well as neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Indonesia accounts for more than 50% of the global palm oil market, making it a crucial region for global food security.
Palm oil is vegetable oil extracted from oil palm fruit. Through the refining process, vegetable oil extracted from palm fruit seeds is used for cooking oil or eco-friendly raw materials, while the by-product powder made from crushing the pulp and shells remaining after palm oil extraction is used as raw materials for cosmetics, soap, and detergents.
With the full operation of the palm oil refining facility, POSCO International will complete the establishment of an integrated palm value chain from plantation to refining to bio-raw materials. The company first began developing palm plantations in Papua, Indonesia in 2011, entered commercial production in 2016, and currently operates three oil mills, producing 210,000 tons of palm oil annually. POSCO International recorded $164 million in sales through its Indonesian palm oil business last year.
In addition, the company is considering additional acquisitions of local palm plantations to coincide with the operation of the refining plant. To operate the new 500,000 ton annual capacity facility at 100%, it needs to secure an additional palm oil production capacity of 300,000 tons. POSCO International plans to expand palm oil production from 200,000 tons last year to 340,000 tons by 2027. The company stated, “Nothing has been specifically confirmed regarding additional palm plantation acquisitions,” while adding, “We are reviewing the business from various angles as palm oil demand is expected to increase in the future.”
POSCO International’s expansion into Indonesia’s palm oil business is due to the significant improvement in palm oil profitability caused by global supply shortages. Since 2018, Indonesia has mandated the use of biodiesel mixed with palm oil in all diesel vehicles and machinery, with the mixing ratio starting at 20% and increasing to 40% this year. This has led to increased domestic consumption in Indonesia and reduced export volumes, creating a global supply shortage situation. Additionally, repeated droughts and El Niño phenomena significantly reduced palm fruit harvests, causing global palm oil prices to surge from around $400 per ton in 2020 to $976 as of Nov. 6, more than doubling. An industry official predicted, “Next year, Indonesia’s mandatory biodiesel mixing ratio will expand to 50%, and palm oil prices will continue to show strength due to the effects of palm tree aging and restrictions on new plantation entry.”
In the medium to long term, POSCO International plans to seek balanced development of its three major growth sectors consisting of food, energy, and materials while expanding its Indonesian palm oil business. In August, the company agreed to expand grain trading of corn, wheat, and soybeans to an annual 4 million tons with U.S. grain company Bartlett & Company, and is working to triple natural gas production with Australia’s Senex Energy in the energy sector. Additionally, the company has signed agreements with U.S.-based RiElement to strengthen rare earth supply chains, emerging as a key company in the global supply chain restructuring process.
Through strengthening its three major supply chain businesses, POSCO International is expected to record sales of 32.698 trillion won and operating profit of 1.141 trillion won this year. In particular, the financial investment industry forecasts that operating profit will continue to grow to 1.288 trillion won next year and 1.364 trillion won in 2027.
출처 : Businesskorea(https://www.businesskorea.co.kr)
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Will COP30 pay the price for EU's climate rollback?EU climate ambitions watered down in deregulation drive ahead of COP30, say environmental campaigners.
- Industry dilutes EU's green agenda
- Campaigners fear knock-on effect at COP
- Big players have weakened hands at Brazil summit
BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) is tainting its green credentials with a deregulation drive that has watered down progressive laws ahead of this week's U.N. COP30 climate summit, policy analysts warn.
Several EU laws that were designed to reduce Europe's role in driving deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions have been hit with delays and limitations.
Just days before the summit, the EU diluted its climate-change target in a flurry of last-minute negotiations, leaving the door open for a further relaxing of targets down the road.
Critics say the EU - which wants to cut red tape to boost business - couldn't have chosen a worse time given the bloc was expected to play a crucial role at COP after U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a "con job", dumped the Paris accord and kept top officials away from the Brazil talks.
But the bloc now faces a credibility gap, according to green campaigners - just what COP didn't need days before world leaders descend on Brazil for the climate talks.
Here's what you need to know:
Which laws have been revised and why is it happening now?
Agreed in 2022, the EU's deforestation regulation aimed to prevent companies selling commodities - from coffee to palm oil - into the EU market if they had links to deforestation.
But the process has hit delays after companies and governments lobbied EU officials to ease the administrative burden, and will finally take effect in December with reduced reporting obligations for smallholders.
The EU's corporate sustainability law, another hotly contested part of the bloc's green agenda, would make firms clean their supply chains of human rights and environmental abuses, or face fines of up to 5% of global turnover. Context
--------
Indonesia Seeks New Markets in North Africa Over EU Deforestation Rules
As the world’s leading producer and exporter of palm oil, Indonesia also maintains a significant presence in the global coffee and cocoa markets. The country is now actively pursuing trade ambitions on the African continent.
North African countries could become new growth drivers for Indonesian agricultural exports. They would provide an alternative to the European Union (EU) market, according to Indonesian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno.
In an interview with Bloomberg last week, the official stated that Indonesian authorities are actively seeking new outlets for their commodities. Like other partners exporting to the bloc, the Southeast Asian nation will be impacted by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is set to prohibit the import of products such as cocoa, coffee, soybeans, palm oil, timber, and beef originating from deforested land.
With the EUDR theoretically scheduled to take effect by the end of 2025, Oegroseno suggested that North Africa could absorb coffee and cocoa produced by smallholder farmers who lack the financial means to bear the costs of complying with the new EU rules. Egypt and Libya were cited as target countries.
“Complying with the EU means cost, and the cost of just being compliant is probably even more than the cost of trying to find new markets," Oegroseno added. "While they are incurring costs, the price is not guaranteed.”
While other details on the trade ambitions of the world’s largest palm oil exporter remain sparse, Indonesia produced 180,000 tonnes of cocoa in the 2023/2024 season, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). This volume makes it the top cocoa producer in the Asia & Oceania region and the 7th largest globally. Indonesia is also the world's 5th largest coffee producer and the 3rd leading supplier of robusta coffee, following Vietnam and Brazil.
Regarding market potential in North Africa, the region is home to four of the continent's six largest coffee consumers: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. The other two are Ethiopia (1st) and South Africa (5th), according to the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
For cocoa, TradeMap data shows that Egypt was the second-largest African importer of cocoa beans and preparations in 2024, with $210 million in imports, trailing only South Africa. Purchases were also significant in Morocco (approximately $165 million) and Tunisia ($43 million) during the same period. Ecofin
--------
Malaysia-US Trade Agreement: Food Sector Implications
11-Nov-2025 by Pearly Neo
Malaysia’s latest trade deal with the United States could have significant impacts for the food sector – but not so soon, and not all will benefit
https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2025/11/11/malaysia-us-trade-agreement-food-sector-implications/
--------
RSPO green palm oil toxic as members turn on certification
IN the lofty parlance of “sustainability”, the fruit of the oil palm still finds itself cast as villain.
Yet when the very gatekeepers of the industry point out that some self-proclaimed champions of the cause are quietly declaring “No Palm Oil” while sitting at the same table as certified sustainable palm oil stakeholders, the contradictions become impossible to ignore.
As Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman and SD Guthrie Bhd managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha reminded delegates at the recent Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) RT2025, “There are brands that sit with us at the same table, claim to believe in sustainable palm oil, yet proudly sell products that say ‘No Palm Oil’.”
What message does that send?
n one hand, these companies endorse RSPO principles and parade sustainability credentials; on the other, they market moral panic in a jar.
The result is a mixed signal that turns sustainability from reform into farce – shifting the narrative from inclusion and improvement, to exclusion and fear.
Mohamad Helmy’s call for honesty, accountability and trust cut through the polite noise. The StarMY
--------
Malaysia To Expand CAPOC 2026, Enhance Palm Oil Access To Global Markets
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The government will expand the financing scope of the Countering Anti-Palm Oil Campaigns (CAPOC) programme in 2026 to enhance market access and increase exports to priority international markets, said the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK).
Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that part of the allocation will be utilised for initiatives to enhance market access and for Malaysia’s participation in major international trade exhibitions, including Gulfood, Food Ingredients Europe (FI Europe), and Food Ingredients India (FI India).
“These efforts will strengthen Malaysia’s presence on high-impact platforms and support improved export performance,” he said during the Budget 2026 committee-level winding-up debate for KPC in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Chan said CAPOC’s primary focus is to improve global perceptions of Malaysian palm oil more effectively so that negative narratives do not weaken the country’s market position.
“This approach is not just about presenting facts but is designed to enhance and widen market access through narrative influence at the buyer level, among stakeholders, and across credible international media platforms,” he added.
Chan explained that this focus will be intensified next year through a market-access-driven strategy involving direct engagement with buyers and decision-makers, as well as the implementation of trade networking visits that specifically combine market-awareness objectives with export empowerment.
He said that although the narrative on palm oil in 2025 was more focused on public education, next year’s strategy has been strengthened through collaboration with high-impact global media to influence perceptions via platforms popular with consumers, industry players and international policymakers. Bernama
--------
POSCO International Completes Palm Oil Value Chain in Indonesia
POSCO International is completing a palm oil refining plant in Indonesia in partnership with GS Caltex. The company is also considering additional acquisitions of local palm plantations, planning to aggressively expand its food business by establishing an integrated value chain overseas from refining to bio-raw material extraction.
POSCO International will complete a palm oil refining facility with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons in Kalimantan, Indonesia, in mid-November. The plant was built on a 300,000 square meter site with a total investment of 260 billion won in partnership with GS Caltex. The bio-raw materials and edible oils produced will be exported to Indonesia’s domestic market as well as neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Indonesia accounts for more than 50% of the global palm oil market, making it a crucial region for global food security.
Palm oil is vegetable oil extracted from oil palm fruit. Through the refining process, vegetable oil extracted from palm fruit seeds is used for cooking oil or eco-friendly raw materials, while the by-product powder made from crushing the pulp and shells remaining after palm oil extraction is used as raw materials for cosmetics, soap, and detergents.
With the full operation of the palm oil refining facility, POSCO International will complete the establishment of an integrated palm value chain from plantation to refining to bio-raw materials. The company first began developing palm plantations in Papua, Indonesia in 2011, entered commercial production in 2016, and currently operates three oil mills, producing 210,000 tons of palm oil annually. POSCO International recorded $164 million in sales through its Indonesian palm oil business last year.
In addition, the company is considering additional acquisitions of local palm plantations to coincide with the operation of the refining plant. To operate the new 500,000 ton annual capacity facility at 100%, it needs to secure an additional palm oil production capacity of 300,000 tons. POSCO International plans to expand palm oil production from 200,000 tons last year to 340,000 tons by 2027. The company stated, “Nothing has been specifically confirmed regarding additional palm plantation acquisitions,” while adding, “We are reviewing the business from various angles as palm oil demand is expected to increase in the future.”
POSCO International’s expansion into Indonesia’s palm oil business is due to the significant improvement in palm oil profitability caused by global supply shortages. Since 2018, Indonesia has mandated the use of biodiesel mixed with palm oil in all diesel vehicles and machinery, with the mixing ratio starting at 20% and increasing to 40% this year. This has led to increased domestic consumption in Indonesia and reduced export volumes, creating a global supply shortage situation. Additionally, repeated droughts and El Niño phenomena significantly reduced palm fruit harvests, causing global palm oil prices to surge from around $400 per ton in 2020 to $976 as of Nov. 6, more than doubling. An industry official predicted, “Next year, Indonesia’s mandatory biodiesel mixing ratio will expand to 50%, and palm oil prices will continue to show strength due to the effects of palm tree aging and restrictions on new plantation entry.”
In the medium to long term, POSCO International plans to seek balanced development of its three major growth sectors consisting of food, energy, and materials while expanding its Indonesian palm oil business. In August, the company agreed to expand grain trading of corn, wheat, and soybeans to an annual 4 million tons with U.S. grain company Bartlett & Company, and is working to triple natural gas production with Australia’s Senex Energy in the energy sector. Additionally, the company has signed agreements with U.S.-based RiElement to strengthen rare earth supply chains, emerging as a key company in the global supply chain restructuring process.
Through strengthening its three major supply chain businesses, POSCO International is expected to record sales of 32.698 trillion won and operating profit of 1.141 trillion won this year. In particular, the financial investment industry forecasts that operating profit will continue to grow to 1.288 trillion won next year and 1.364 trillion won in 2027.
출처 : Businesskorea(https://www.businesskorea.co.kr)
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November 10, 2025
Compliance drives sustainable growth in Malaysia's palm oil sector, says CIMB Securities
KUALA LUMPUR: Compliance with sustainability standards such as Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO), and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) has become the cornerstone of Malaysia's palm oil industry, strengthening global confidence in its commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible production.
CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd said that certified producers are increasingly adopting satellite monitoring, traceability systems, and smallholder inclusion programmes to ensure deforestation-free and transparent supply chains - aligning with global sustainability expectations while maintaining export competitiveness.
It noted that despite structural challenges such as limited land availability, ageing palms, and a slower replanting rate, Malaysia's palm oil sector remains resilient and strategically positioned for long-term growth.
Global demand continues to expand steadily, by around 3 per cent annually, driven by robust consumption in the food, oleochemical, and biofuel industries, according to CIMB Securities.
As the world's second-largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Malaysia contributes about 24 per cent of global output and 35 per cent of exports, supporting over 438,000 direct jobs and accounting for about 4.2 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). This foundation underscores the sector's vital role in national economic stability and rural livelihoods.
From 1975 to 2019, Malaysia's oil palm planted area expanded nearly tenfold, from 0.6 million hectares to 5.9 million hectares, largely replacing rubber. During the same period, palm oil production grew from 1.3 million tonnes to 19.9 million tonnes, peaking in 2015 and 2017. While early expansion was concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, which still accounts for about 45 per cent of the total area, growth in Sabah and Sarawak accelerated from the 1990s onwards. NST
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Malaysia’s palm oil development: Lessons from a global success story
Palm oil is one of the most versatile and valuable agricultural commodities in the world today. Found in products ranging from food to cosmetics and biofuels, it has become a cornerstone of economic growth for several developing nations. Among these, Malaysia stands out as a remarkable success story. What makes Malaysia’s journey especially fascinating is that the oil palm tree — Elaeis guineensis — did not originate there. It came from West Africa, then, when the countries were not yet sovereign nations, from the same region where Nigeria lies. Yet today, Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil, while Nigeria, once a global leader, lags far behind. Understanding Malaysia’s path from importing palm seeds to building a multi-billion-dollar industry offers powerful lessons for Africa’s agricultural transformation.
The oil palm tree is native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa. It was an integral part of local economies and diets long before colonial times. In the 1870s, British colonial administrators introduced oil palm seeds from West Africa, specifically from Nigeria and the Congo Basin, to the Malay Peninsula. I must emphasise here that it was the British colonial authorities who introduced the oil palm seedlings into British Malaya, not Malaysia, as the country did not yet exist at that time. Ironically, the Nigerians often remind me of the narrative that Malaysia took or appropriated their commodity — a view with which I respectfully disagree.
Initially, the palm was cultivated as an ornamental plant in botanical gardens, not as a commercial crop. However, by the early 20th century, the potential of palm oil as an industrial and edible oil source became apparent. The first commercial planting took place in 1917 at the Tennamaram Estate in Selangor. The colonial authorities and early investors saw palm oil as a diversification strategy to reduce dependence on rubber. This strategic move marked the beginning of Malaysia’s journey to becoming a global palm oil powerhouse.
After independence in 1957, the Malaysian government faced a critical challenge, which was how to diversify its economy beyond tin and rubber exports. Palm oil presented an ideal opportunity. Through deliberate planning and investment, Malaysia transformed what began as a colonial experiment into a national development strategy. Key milestones included: More at PunchNG
Compliance drives sustainable growth in Malaysia's palm oil sector, says CIMB Securities
KUALA LUMPUR: Compliance with sustainability standards such as Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO), and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) has become the cornerstone of Malaysia's palm oil industry, strengthening global confidence in its commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible production.
CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd said that certified producers are increasingly adopting satellite monitoring, traceability systems, and smallholder inclusion programmes to ensure deforestation-free and transparent supply chains - aligning with global sustainability expectations while maintaining export competitiveness.
It noted that despite structural challenges such as limited land availability, ageing palms, and a slower replanting rate, Malaysia's palm oil sector remains resilient and strategically positioned for long-term growth.
Global demand continues to expand steadily, by around 3 per cent annually, driven by robust consumption in the food, oleochemical, and biofuel industries, according to CIMB Securities.
As the world's second-largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Malaysia contributes about 24 per cent of global output and 35 per cent of exports, supporting over 438,000 direct jobs and accounting for about 4.2 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). This foundation underscores the sector's vital role in national economic stability and rural livelihoods.
From 1975 to 2019, Malaysia's oil palm planted area expanded nearly tenfold, from 0.6 million hectares to 5.9 million hectares, largely replacing rubber. During the same period, palm oil production grew from 1.3 million tonnes to 19.9 million tonnes, peaking in 2015 and 2017. While early expansion was concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, which still accounts for about 45 per cent of the total area, growth in Sabah and Sarawak accelerated from the 1990s onwards. NST
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Malaysia’s palm oil development: Lessons from a global success story
Palm oil is one of the most versatile and valuable agricultural commodities in the world today. Found in products ranging from food to cosmetics and biofuels, it has become a cornerstone of economic growth for several developing nations. Among these, Malaysia stands out as a remarkable success story. What makes Malaysia’s journey especially fascinating is that the oil palm tree — Elaeis guineensis — did not originate there. It came from West Africa, then, when the countries were not yet sovereign nations, from the same region where Nigeria lies. Yet today, Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil, while Nigeria, once a global leader, lags far behind. Understanding Malaysia’s path from importing palm seeds to building a multi-billion-dollar industry offers powerful lessons for Africa’s agricultural transformation.
The oil palm tree is native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa. It was an integral part of local economies and diets long before colonial times. In the 1870s, British colonial administrators introduced oil palm seeds from West Africa, specifically from Nigeria and the Congo Basin, to the Malay Peninsula. I must emphasise here that it was the British colonial authorities who introduced the oil palm seedlings into British Malaya, not Malaysia, as the country did not yet exist at that time. Ironically, the Nigerians often remind me of the narrative that Malaysia took or appropriated their commodity — a view with which I respectfully disagree.
Initially, the palm was cultivated as an ornamental plant in botanical gardens, not as a commercial crop. However, by the early 20th century, the potential of palm oil as an industrial and edible oil source became apparent. The first commercial planting took place in 1917 at the Tennamaram Estate in Selangor. The colonial authorities and early investors saw palm oil as a diversification strategy to reduce dependence on rubber. This strategic move marked the beginning of Malaysia’s journey to becoming a global palm oil powerhouse.
After independence in 1957, the Malaysian government faced a critical challenge, which was how to diversify its economy beyond tin and rubber exports. Palm oil presented an ideal opportunity. Through deliberate planning and investment, Malaysia transformed what began as a colonial experiment into a national development strategy. Key milestones included: More at PunchNG
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November 08, 2025
ESG Transparency Boosts Prospects For Malaysian Planters
CIMB Investment Bank Bhd (CIMB Securities) has maintained its OVERWEIGHT call on the plantation sector, citing that greater environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency among Malaysian planters could pave the way for a sector re-rating. The research house said companies under its coverage recorded the strongest gains in the environmental pillar of the 2025 SPOTT assessment, with moderate improvements in the social and governance categories.
In its report, CIMB Securities highlighted SD Guthrie, IOI Corporation and Hap Seng Plantations as key beneficiaries of this rising ESG transparency, maintaining Buy calls on all three. SD Guthrie led globally with a SPOTT score of 97.5%, up 2.7 percentage points from the previous year, while IOI Corporation and Hap Seng Plantations recorded scores of 85.1% and 91.2%, ranking 20th and 15th, respectively, among the 100 palm oil companies assessed.
CIMB Securities noted that the SPOTT assessment, published by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is widely tracked by investors and evaluates up to 192 ESG indicators across 10 categories. The report’s findings show that while transparency among Malaysian planters has improved, global progress remains uneven, with only 51% of firms disclosing deforestation monitoring and just 18% achieving full supply chain traceability.
Despite these gaps, Malaysian companies stood out in the 2025 SPOTT results, benefiting from strengthened environmental reporting, deforestation monitoring and emissions disclosure ahead of the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and COP30 in Brazil. The research firm added that the social pillar also improved due to greater disclosure on labour rights, smallholder inclusion and community engagement, while governance scores remained largely stable.
CIMB Securities said stronger ESG transparency could attract renewed foreign investor interest in Malaysian plantations, which have long been under-owned due to sustainability concerns. The improvement in rankings, particularly with SD Guthrie and United Plantations taking the top two global spots, reflects growing efforts among local planters to align with international sustainability standards.
In terms of valuation, CIMB Securities set target prices at RM6.01 for SD Guthrie, RM4.11 for IOI Corporation, and RM2.23 for Hap Seng Plantations. The research house added that these firms’ consistent improvements in ESG metrics, coupled with healthy dividend yields ranging between 2.5% and 4.6%, could support long-term sector re-rating prospects as global investors increasingly favour transparent and sustainable palm oil producers. Business TodayMY
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Indonesia Pledges 1.4 Million Hectares of Customary Forests for Indigenous Peoples
Jakarta. Indonesia is allocating 1.4 million hectares of customary forests to Indigenous communities, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said at the Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil.
“This is part of the President’s concern for the environment and for communities that have long been marginalized,” Antoni said in a statement on Friday.
Antoni made the remarks while accompanying Presidential Special Envoy for Climate Change and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo. During the event, Hashim, speaking on behalf of President Prabowo, officially announced Indonesia’s commitment to allocate the areas.
“Earlier this year President Prabowo publicly announced our bold commitment to recognize and allocate 1.4 million hectares of customary forests for Indigenous and local communities within four years,” Hashim said.
Hashim was accompanied in Belém by Antoni and Environment Minister Hanif Faisol as part of Prabowo’s official COP30 delegation.
Antoni added that Indonesia has already set up a special task force to accelerate the recognition of customary forests. The task force, launched in March 2025 following Prabowo’s directives, has set a target to recognize 1.4 million hectares of new customary forest rights during 2025–2029.
“Recognizing customary forests is not only about respecting Indigenous rights; it has also been proven to reduce deforestation by 30–50 percent, based on The State of Indonesia's Forest (SOIFO) 2024 data,” he said.
The pledge comes as Indigenous organizations warn that industrial expansion continues to displace Indigenous peoples across Indonesia.
A new joint report by the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), regional Indigenous federations, and Earth Insight found more than 11.7 million hectares of customary lands have been taken over in the past decade. The coalition recorded nearly 700 land conflicts linked to mining, logging, oil and gas, geothermal projects, and other extractive industries.
According to the report, Indonesia’s customary territories span around 33.6 million hectares, covering some of the country’s most biodiverse and carbon-rich landscapes, yet only a fraction has been formally recognized.
Citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the groups say less than 1 percent of more than 25 million hectares of Indigenous territories have legal recognition, while concessions for palm oil, forestry, and mining collectively cover tens of millions of hectares. Jakarta Globe
ESG Transparency Boosts Prospects For Malaysian Planters
CIMB Investment Bank Bhd (CIMB Securities) has maintained its OVERWEIGHT call on the plantation sector, citing that greater environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency among Malaysian planters could pave the way for a sector re-rating. The research house said companies under its coverage recorded the strongest gains in the environmental pillar of the 2025 SPOTT assessment, with moderate improvements in the social and governance categories.
In its report, CIMB Securities highlighted SD Guthrie, IOI Corporation and Hap Seng Plantations as key beneficiaries of this rising ESG transparency, maintaining Buy calls on all three. SD Guthrie led globally with a SPOTT score of 97.5%, up 2.7 percentage points from the previous year, while IOI Corporation and Hap Seng Plantations recorded scores of 85.1% and 91.2%, ranking 20th and 15th, respectively, among the 100 palm oil companies assessed.
CIMB Securities noted that the SPOTT assessment, published by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is widely tracked by investors and evaluates up to 192 ESG indicators across 10 categories. The report’s findings show that while transparency among Malaysian planters has improved, global progress remains uneven, with only 51% of firms disclosing deforestation monitoring and just 18% achieving full supply chain traceability.
Despite these gaps, Malaysian companies stood out in the 2025 SPOTT results, benefiting from strengthened environmental reporting, deforestation monitoring and emissions disclosure ahead of the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and COP30 in Brazil. The research firm added that the social pillar also improved due to greater disclosure on labour rights, smallholder inclusion and community engagement, while governance scores remained largely stable.
CIMB Securities said stronger ESG transparency could attract renewed foreign investor interest in Malaysian plantations, which have long been under-owned due to sustainability concerns. The improvement in rankings, particularly with SD Guthrie and United Plantations taking the top two global spots, reflects growing efforts among local planters to align with international sustainability standards.
In terms of valuation, CIMB Securities set target prices at RM6.01 for SD Guthrie, RM4.11 for IOI Corporation, and RM2.23 for Hap Seng Plantations. The research house added that these firms’ consistent improvements in ESG metrics, coupled with healthy dividend yields ranging between 2.5% and 4.6%, could support long-term sector re-rating prospects as global investors increasingly favour transparent and sustainable palm oil producers. Business TodayMY
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Indonesia Pledges 1.4 Million Hectares of Customary Forests for Indigenous Peoples
Jakarta. Indonesia is allocating 1.4 million hectares of customary forests to Indigenous communities, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said at the Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil.
“This is part of the President’s concern for the environment and for communities that have long been marginalized,” Antoni said in a statement on Friday.
Antoni made the remarks while accompanying Presidential Special Envoy for Climate Change and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo. During the event, Hashim, speaking on behalf of President Prabowo, officially announced Indonesia’s commitment to allocate the areas.
“Earlier this year President Prabowo publicly announced our bold commitment to recognize and allocate 1.4 million hectares of customary forests for Indigenous and local communities within four years,” Hashim said.
Hashim was accompanied in Belém by Antoni and Environment Minister Hanif Faisol as part of Prabowo’s official COP30 delegation.
Antoni added that Indonesia has already set up a special task force to accelerate the recognition of customary forests. The task force, launched in March 2025 following Prabowo’s directives, has set a target to recognize 1.4 million hectares of new customary forest rights during 2025–2029.
“Recognizing customary forests is not only about respecting Indigenous rights; it has also been proven to reduce deforestation by 30–50 percent, based on The State of Indonesia's Forest (SOIFO) 2024 data,” he said.
The pledge comes as Indigenous organizations warn that industrial expansion continues to displace Indigenous peoples across Indonesia.
A new joint report by the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), regional Indigenous federations, and Earth Insight found more than 11.7 million hectares of customary lands have been taken over in the past decade. The coalition recorded nearly 700 land conflicts linked to mining, logging, oil and gas, geothermal projects, and other extractive industries.
According to the report, Indonesia’s customary territories span around 33.6 million hectares, covering some of the country’s most biodiverse and carbon-rich landscapes, yet only a fraction has been formally recognized.
Citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the groups say less than 1 percent of more than 25 million hectares of Indigenous territories have legal recognition, while concessions for palm oil, forestry, and mining collectively cover tens of millions of hectares. Jakarta Globe
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November 07, 2025
Indonesia's Pertamina conducts trials on 100% palm oil biodiesel and jet fuel
JAKARTA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state energy company PT Pertamina said on Friday it had started trials on diesel made entirely out of palm oil at its Cilacap refinery on Java island after conducting trials on jet fuel late last year.
Pertamina begun the trials of the so-called "Green Diesel" on Jan. 9 and they will continue till Jan. 16, a Pertamina spokesman said in the statement. Trials for the jet fuel took place at the end of December.
"This trial will continue until it is ready and safe to use as fuel that can be used by the community," spokesman Hatim Ilwan said.
Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, currently has a mandatory biodiesel programme with 30% palm oil content known as B30, but the government is keen to expand the use of the vegetable oil for energy as it aims to slash fuel imports.
But a slump in fuel prices this year has made the programme less economical and plans to increase the biocontent to 40% have been delayed due to funding issues.
While the B30 programme uses fatty acid methyl ester, known as FAME, the Green Diesel uses refined, bleached and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO), which is palm oil that has been refined to remove free fatty acids and purification to remove color and odour, Hatim said. Reuters
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Brazil’s Biofuels Push Undermines Environmental Integrity at COP30
BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 7 (IPS) - President Prabowo Subianto welcomed his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil to Jakarta recently to strengthen ties between the fast-growing economies.
The timing is significant. The meeting was just weeks before Brazil hosts the COP30 climate change talks in Belém, a bustling port city at the mouth of the Amazon River.
Like Brazil, Indonesia is home to expansive rainforests that attract intense international scrutiny because of their rich biodiversity and globally-important role as carbon sinks. And like Brazil, Indonesia has implemented new policies designed to boost biofuel use.
The leaders, who agreed to expand cooperation as two of the world’s largest biofuel producers, contend that the energy sources are needed to reduce reliance on imports and cut emissions.
But Indonesia has been down this road before.
n the mid-2000s, booming international demand for highly versatile palm oil—a key ingredient for biofuels—led the country to clear millions of hectares of rainforest and peatland to make way for vast plantations.
The gold rush for the oil displaced indigenous communities, smallholder farmers, and destroyed vital ecosystems that critically endangered species like orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and the Javan rhinoceros depend on to survive.
In Borneo alone, far from reducing carbon pollution, slash and burn agriculture caused the largest single-year global emissions increase seen in 2,000 years, according to NASA.
Falling demand and the introduction of conservation measures helped slow deforestation over the subsequent decade, however, the Subianto-Lula meeting reflects a troubling resurgence of biofuels as a global commodity. Global Issues
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Indonesia Blocks Illegal CPO Export Worth Rp 28.7 Billion
Jakarta. The Finance Ministry and the National Police say they have foiled an illegal export attempt involving crude palm oil derivatives worth Rp 28.7 billion (about US$1.7 million). The joint operation, which included the Customs Directorate General, the Tax Directorate General, and the National Police’s special task force on state revenue, uncovered 87 containers weighing 1,802 tons at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta.
Customs chief Djaka Bhudi Utama said the case involved a company identified as PT MMS, which allegedly attempted to export the goods without complying with export duty rules and restrictions.
“The goods were declared as fatty matter weighing around 1,802 tons and worth Rp 28.7 billion. On the initial documents, they were not subject to export duties and were not listed as restricted items,” Djaka told reporters on Thursday.
He added that the Finance Ministry, in coordination with the Police task force, will strengthen upstream oversight, including inspections and law enforcement, to plug potential state revenue leaks. Jakarta Globe
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Malaysia's used cooking oil exports to face pressure in 2026 on domestic SAF production, says deputy minister
UALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): Malaysia's used cooking oil export volumes will face "immediate and moderate pressure" next year as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Johor ramps up production, the country's deputy plantation and commodities minister told Reuters.
Domestic players will actively secure feedstock to meet the 350,000-tonne capacity of the EcoCeres production facility, forcing them to offer competitive pricing to divert used cooking oil away from profitable international export routes, Datuk Chan Foong Hin said.
The EcoCeres facility became operational in October and will provide Malaysia’s first major source of ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU-certified SAF, Chan said.
Exports surge; Singapore largest market
According to the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB), used cooking oil exports reached 465,257 tonnes in 2024, up from 310,368 tonnes in 2023. Singapore was the largest importer, accounting for 284,116 tonnes, followed by the US and the European Union with 158,231 tonnes and 19,819 tonnes, respectively.
"To manage domestic feedstock supply and secure competitiveness for the SAF industry, the ministry together with the MPOB, is currently reviewing and engaging with stakeholders regarding the potential implementation of a policy intervention to ensure a steady, sustainable supply of UCO (used cooking oil) for domestic industrial needs," Chan said, using an abbreviation for used cooking oil.
Chan also expects market demand to nearly triple with the commissioning of the Petronas, Enilive and Euglena biorefinery in Pengerang, targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2028.
Growing feedstock demand
"This plant commands a significant feedstock capacity of 650,000 tonnes. Collectively, these two facilities will create an annual feedstock demand of up to one million tonnes, establishing direct competition with international buyers for the global UCO supply," he said, adding that the challenge in the supply chain will be feedstock collection. The Edge
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Malaysia’s Wasco Greenergy set for IPO, tapping palm oil waste for bioenergy
Malaysia’s energy infrastructure company Wasco Bhd announced on Monday that its shareholders have approved the proposed listing of its bioenergy arm, Wasco Greenergy Bhd, marking a key step as the country’s bioenergy sector gains momentum.
Wasco Greenergy aims to debut on the local exchange in mid-December.
From EPCC provider to bioenergy player, Wasco diversifies its portfolio
Wasco Greenergy specializes in biomass steam energy systems, heat recovery steam generators, steam turbine generator systems, gas-fired steam systems, and palm oil milling equipment.
The Wasco Group, traditionally an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contractor, has evolved into an asset owner undertaking full-scope EPCC works for biomass projects. The company now plans to deepen its footprint in the bioenergy sector as part of a broader long-term diversification strategy.
“The plan is to move beyond just building plants for others. If we can lock in long-term feedstock supply and secure offtake agreements — for example, selling energy to Tenaga Nasional — we could create a stable, recurring income stream,” said Giancarlo Maccagno, managing director and chief executive officer of Wasco, after its 25th annual general meeting. Recessary
Indonesia's Pertamina conducts trials on 100% palm oil biodiesel and jet fuel
JAKARTA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state energy company PT Pertamina said on Friday it had started trials on diesel made entirely out of palm oil at its Cilacap refinery on Java island after conducting trials on jet fuel late last year.
Pertamina begun the trials of the so-called "Green Diesel" on Jan. 9 and they will continue till Jan. 16, a Pertamina spokesman said in the statement. Trials for the jet fuel took place at the end of December.
"This trial will continue until it is ready and safe to use as fuel that can be used by the community," spokesman Hatim Ilwan said.
Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, currently has a mandatory biodiesel programme with 30% palm oil content known as B30, but the government is keen to expand the use of the vegetable oil for energy as it aims to slash fuel imports.
But a slump in fuel prices this year has made the programme less economical and plans to increase the biocontent to 40% have been delayed due to funding issues.
While the B30 programme uses fatty acid methyl ester, known as FAME, the Green Diesel uses refined, bleached and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO), which is palm oil that has been refined to remove free fatty acids and purification to remove color and odour, Hatim said. Reuters
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Brazil’s Biofuels Push Undermines Environmental Integrity at COP30
BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 7 (IPS) - President Prabowo Subianto welcomed his counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil to Jakarta recently to strengthen ties between the fast-growing economies.
The timing is significant. The meeting was just weeks before Brazil hosts the COP30 climate change talks in Belém, a bustling port city at the mouth of the Amazon River.
Like Brazil, Indonesia is home to expansive rainforests that attract intense international scrutiny because of their rich biodiversity and globally-important role as carbon sinks. And like Brazil, Indonesia has implemented new policies designed to boost biofuel use.
The leaders, who agreed to expand cooperation as two of the world’s largest biofuel producers, contend that the energy sources are needed to reduce reliance on imports and cut emissions.
But Indonesia has been down this road before.
n the mid-2000s, booming international demand for highly versatile palm oil—a key ingredient for biofuels—led the country to clear millions of hectares of rainforest and peatland to make way for vast plantations.
The gold rush for the oil displaced indigenous communities, smallholder farmers, and destroyed vital ecosystems that critically endangered species like orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and the Javan rhinoceros depend on to survive.
In Borneo alone, far from reducing carbon pollution, slash and burn agriculture caused the largest single-year global emissions increase seen in 2,000 years, according to NASA.
Falling demand and the introduction of conservation measures helped slow deforestation over the subsequent decade, however, the Subianto-Lula meeting reflects a troubling resurgence of biofuels as a global commodity. Global Issues
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Indonesia Blocks Illegal CPO Export Worth Rp 28.7 Billion
Jakarta. The Finance Ministry and the National Police say they have foiled an illegal export attempt involving crude palm oil derivatives worth Rp 28.7 billion (about US$1.7 million). The joint operation, which included the Customs Directorate General, the Tax Directorate General, and the National Police’s special task force on state revenue, uncovered 87 containers weighing 1,802 tons at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta.
Customs chief Djaka Bhudi Utama said the case involved a company identified as PT MMS, which allegedly attempted to export the goods without complying with export duty rules and restrictions.
“The goods were declared as fatty matter weighing around 1,802 tons and worth Rp 28.7 billion. On the initial documents, they were not subject to export duties and were not listed as restricted items,” Djaka told reporters on Thursday.
He added that the Finance Ministry, in coordination with the Police task force, will strengthen upstream oversight, including inspections and law enforcement, to plug potential state revenue leaks. Jakarta Globe
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Malaysia's used cooking oil exports to face pressure in 2026 on domestic SAF production, says deputy minister
UALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): Malaysia's used cooking oil export volumes will face "immediate and moderate pressure" next year as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Johor ramps up production, the country's deputy plantation and commodities minister told Reuters.
Domestic players will actively secure feedstock to meet the 350,000-tonne capacity of the EcoCeres production facility, forcing them to offer competitive pricing to divert used cooking oil away from profitable international export routes, Datuk Chan Foong Hin said.
The EcoCeres facility became operational in October and will provide Malaysia’s first major source of ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU-certified SAF, Chan said.
Exports surge; Singapore largest market
According to the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB), used cooking oil exports reached 465,257 tonnes in 2024, up from 310,368 tonnes in 2023. Singapore was the largest importer, accounting for 284,116 tonnes, followed by the US and the European Union with 158,231 tonnes and 19,819 tonnes, respectively.
"To manage domestic feedstock supply and secure competitiveness for the SAF industry, the ministry together with the MPOB, is currently reviewing and engaging with stakeholders regarding the potential implementation of a policy intervention to ensure a steady, sustainable supply of UCO (used cooking oil) for domestic industrial needs," Chan said, using an abbreviation for used cooking oil.
Chan also expects market demand to nearly triple with the commissioning of the Petronas, Enilive and Euglena biorefinery in Pengerang, targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2028.
Growing feedstock demand
"This plant commands a significant feedstock capacity of 650,000 tonnes. Collectively, these two facilities will create an annual feedstock demand of up to one million tonnes, establishing direct competition with international buyers for the global UCO supply," he said, adding that the challenge in the supply chain will be feedstock collection. The Edge
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Malaysia’s Wasco Greenergy set for IPO, tapping palm oil waste for bioenergy
Malaysia’s energy infrastructure company Wasco Bhd announced on Monday that its shareholders have approved the proposed listing of its bioenergy arm, Wasco Greenergy Bhd, marking a key step as the country’s bioenergy sector gains momentum.
Wasco Greenergy aims to debut on the local exchange in mid-December.
From EPCC provider to bioenergy player, Wasco diversifies its portfolio
Wasco Greenergy specializes in biomass steam energy systems, heat recovery steam generators, steam turbine generator systems, gas-fired steam systems, and palm oil milling equipment.
The Wasco Group, traditionally an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contractor, has evolved into an asset owner undertaking full-scope EPCC works for biomass projects. The company now plans to deepen its footprint in the bioenergy sector as part of a broader long-term diversification strategy.
“The plan is to move beyond just building plants for others. If we can lock in long-term feedstock supply and secure offtake agreements — for example, selling energy to Tenaga Nasional — we could create a stable, recurring income stream,” said Giancarlo Maccagno, managing director and chief executive officer of Wasco, after its 25th annual general meeting. Recessary
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November 05, 2025
Global banks step up financing to companies behind deforestation
(Nov 5): Banks have arranged more than US$425 billion (RM1.7 trillion) of financing for the companies most responsible for deforestation over the past decade.
That includes US$72 billion provided to the beef, palm oil, soy, rubber, timber and paper industries in the past 18 months, according to data compiled by Forests & Finance since the Paris Agreement was announced in 2015.
“This is really showing that the financial sector isn’t aligning its financial flows with the objectives of the Paris Agreement,” said Stephanie Dowlen, one of the authors of the report. “And that was something that they were obliged to do.”
The comments come ahead of the United Nation’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where world leaders are starting to gather this week. “It’s clear that forest protection can’t be achieved by financing the same old chainsaw economy,” the Forests & Finance report said.
The increase in lending has coincided with a decline in the landmass covered by rainforests. Global loss of tropical and boreal forests, which play a key role in removing carbon dioxide from the air, accelerated last year with a record 6.7 million hectares destroyed, according to Global Forest Watch, a platform run by the non-profit World Resources Institute. More than half the loss was linked to fires made worse by record heat. The Edge/ Bloomberg
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Indonesia Steps Up Palm Oil Productivity and Sustainability Efforts
KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia is stepping up efforts to boost productivity and sustainability in its palm oil industry, officials said on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The government is expanding replanting programs, enforcing mandatory certification, and promoting bio-based innovation to strengthen one of the country’s largest economic sectors.
According to Dida Gardera, Expert Staff for Connectivity and Service Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia currently has 16.38 million hectares of oil palm plantations, 53 percent managed by private companies, 6 percent by state-owned enterprises, and the remaining 41 percent by independent smallholders.
Speaking at a public discussion themed “The Role of the Palm Oil Industry in Sustainable Economic Development Toward Golden Indonesia 2045”, organized by Tempo Media Group in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Dida said Indonesia’s palm oil productivity still has significant room for improvement.
“Currently, the national average yield is below four tons per hectare, while large-scale companies can reach 10 to 12 tons. Through the Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting Program (PSR), we expect productivity to double or even triple within the next four years," Dida said, as quoted by antaranews.com.
He emphasized that palm oil’s main advantage over other vegetable oils such as sunflower or rapeseed lies in its fourfold higher land productivity, making it the most efficient and sustainable option to meet global demand.
“Palm oil remains the world’s most productive oil crop and offers the most sustainable solution for global vegetable oil needs,” Dida added. RRI
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Opinion: Red palm oil can make it big with quality standards
PALM oil has sustained civilisations for millennia, with its earliest recorded use dating back to 4000 BCE (Before Common Era).
In its unrefined crude form, palm oil is a nutritional powerhouse, naturally rich in beta-carotene — the vivid red-orange pigment that gives crude palm oil its signature hue. As a precursor to vitamin A, it plays a vital role in supporting healthy vision; (contains) vitamin E, including both tocopherols and tocotrienols — potent antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress; and squalene and coenzyme Q10 — compounds linked to cellular health, energy metabolism, and skin vitality.
In West and Central Africa — where the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) originates — crude red palm oil is still traditionally produced in artisan style. The fruits are cooked, pressed, and bottled for direct sale and home use. This traditional form retains its full spectrum of beta-carotene and vitamin E, and its continued use may contribute to lower rates of lifestyle-related diseases when (it becomes) part of a minimally processed, whole-food, plant-rich eating pattern.
Yet this traditional oil, with its bold flavour and deep colour, may not meet the sensory expectations of modern consumers. For contemporary kitchens, crude palm oil is typically refined, bleached, and deodorised (RBD), then fractionated to separate its liquid and solid components. The outcome is refined palm olein — a light-yellow liquid fraction that serves as the standard cooking oil in many parts of the world. While the vibrant red hue and some nutrients are lost in the process, roughly half of the vitamin E content remains.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) patented a nutrient-preserving process for red palm olein in 1999, later commercialised by Carotino Sdn Bhd under the leadership of chemical engineer UR Unnithan. The process employs short path distillation — a technically advanced method that gently retains heat-sensitive nutrients such as carotenes and tocotrienols, maintaining their potency while minimising thermal degradation. This precision technique requires significant investment and operational expertise, contributing to the higher cost of red palm olein compared to conventional cooking oils.
Global rise of red palm oil The Edge
Global banks step up financing to companies behind deforestation
(Nov 5): Banks have arranged more than US$425 billion (RM1.7 trillion) of financing for the companies most responsible for deforestation over the past decade.
That includes US$72 billion provided to the beef, palm oil, soy, rubber, timber and paper industries in the past 18 months, according to data compiled by Forests & Finance since the Paris Agreement was announced in 2015.
“This is really showing that the financial sector isn’t aligning its financial flows with the objectives of the Paris Agreement,” said Stephanie Dowlen, one of the authors of the report. “And that was something that they were obliged to do.”
The comments come ahead of the United Nation’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where world leaders are starting to gather this week. “It’s clear that forest protection can’t be achieved by financing the same old chainsaw economy,” the Forests & Finance report said.
The increase in lending has coincided with a decline in the landmass covered by rainforests. Global loss of tropical and boreal forests, which play a key role in removing carbon dioxide from the air, accelerated last year with a record 6.7 million hectares destroyed, according to Global Forest Watch, a platform run by the non-profit World Resources Institute. More than half the loss was linked to fires made worse by record heat. The Edge/ Bloomberg
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Indonesia Steps Up Palm Oil Productivity and Sustainability Efforts
KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia is stepping up efforts to boost productivity and sustainability in its palm oil industry, officials said on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The government is expanding replanting programs, enforcing mandatory certification, and promoting bio-based innovation to strengthen one of the country’s largest economic sectors.
According to Dida Gardera, Expert Staff for Connectivity and Service Development at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia currently has 16.38 million hectares of oil palm plantations, 53 percent managed by private companies, 6 percent by state-owned enterprises, and the remaining 41 percent by independent smallholders.
Speaking at a public discussion themed “The Role of the Palm Oil Industry in Sustainable Economic Development Toward Golden Indonesia 2045”, organized by Tempo Media Group in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Dida said Indonesia’s palm oil productivity still has significant room for improvement.
“Currently, the national average yield is below four tons per hectare, while large-scale companies can reach 10 to 12 tons. Through the Smallholder Palm Oil Replanting Program (PSR), we expect productivity to double or even triple within the next four years," Dida said, as quoted by antaranews.com.
He emphasized that palm oil’s main advantage over other vegetable oils such as sunflower or rapeseed lies in its fourfold higher land productivity, making it the most efficient and sustainable option to meet global demand.
“Palm oil remains the world’s most productive oil crop and offers the most sustainable solution for global vegetable oil needs,” Dida added. RRI
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Opinion: Red palm oil can make it big with quality standards
PALM oil has sustained civilisations for millennia, with its earliest recorded use dating back to 4000 BCE (Before Common Era).
In its unrefined crude form, palm oil is a nutritional powerhouse, naturally rich in beta-carotene — the vivid red-orange pigment that gives crude palm oil its signature hue. As a precursor to vitamin A, it plays a vital role in supporting healthy vision; (contains) vitamin E, including both tocopherols and tocotrienols — potent antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress; and squalene and coenzyme Q10 — compounds linked to cellular health, energy metabolism, and skin vitality.
In West and Central Africa — where the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) originates — crude red palm oil is still traditionally produced in artisan style. The fruits are cooked, pressed, and bottled for direct sale and home use. This traditional form retains its full spectrum of beta-carotene and vitamin E, and its continued use may contribute to lower rates of lifestyle-related diseases when (it becomes) part of a minimally processed, whole-food, plant-rich eating pattern.
Yet this traditional oil, with its bold flavour and deep colour, may not meet the sensory expectations of modern consumers. For contemporary kitchens, crude palm oil is typically refined, bleached, and deodorised (RBD), then fractionated to separate its liquid and solid components. The outcome is refined palm olein — a light-yellow liquid fraction that serves as the standard cooking oil in many parts of the world. While the vibrant red hue and some nutrients are lost in the process, roughly half of the vitamin E content remains.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) patented a nutrient-preserving process for red palm olein in 1999, later commercialised by Carotino Sdn Bhd under the leadership of chemical engineer UR Unnithan. The process employs short path distillation — a technically advanced method that gently retains heat-sensitive nutrients such as carotenes and tocotrienols, maintaining their potency while minimising thermal degradation. This precision technique requires significant investment and operational expertise, contributing to the higher cost of red palm olein compared to conventional cooking oils.
Global rise of red palm oil The Edge
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November 04, 2025
Austria to push for ‘stop-the-clock’ on deforestation rules at Council
Last week, agriculture ministers already rebuked the Commission’s plan to maintain the enforcement date for most companies this year
Austria will spearhead a push at the Council this week to “stop the clock” on the bloc’s deforestation rules until the end of 2026, as part of efforts to buy time and secure tweaks that would exempt most European countries from compliance with the sustainability rules.
As part of a world first regulatory push, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires importers of cocoa, coffee, palm oil, cattle, timber, and rubber to prove their products did not cause deforestation.
The European Commission proposed last month to reopen the rules to ease implementation and avoid overburdening the IT system needed to share compliance data.
In a note dated 31 October and designed to steer debate in Council, Vienna said that the Commission’s proposal “falls short of expectations,” criticising the executive for backtracking on an earlier idea to grant a one-year delay for all companies.
The text will be discussed by EU environment ministers at their Council meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
A diplomatic source said that at least 13 countries could be aligned with Austria’s demands.
Austria argues for an “immediate stop-the-clock” on EUDR implementation for one year “until simplifications have been concluded,” saying there is not enough time to change the rules before they take effect in December.
Vienna is also calling for some countries to be classified as “no risk” of deforestation, for a minimum threshold below which the rules would not apply, and for lighter requirements along the value chain.
“Sustainable forest management is part of Austria’s DNA,” Agriculture and Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig told Euractiv via email on Saturday. “However, in its current form, the EUDR risks penalising those who are already practising sustainable forest management,” he added.
Last week, agriculture ministers rebuked the Commission’s plan to maintain the enforcement date for most companies this year, criticising the lack of time for negotiations
At a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, EU ambassadors also voiced concerns, with a majority backing a one-year delay but diverging on how to adapt the rules to ease compliance.
Even to delay the legislation, the Council and European Parliament would need to reach an agreement by 15 December – the final opportunity for a plenary vote in Strasbourg before the end of the year. Euractiv
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MPOB slams West for ‘double standards’ over palm oil, climate policy
Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha accuses rich nations of hypocrisy for vilifying palm oil while excusing fossil fuel emissions in the name of energy security
KUALA LUMPUR — The world must end its hypocrisy in treating palm oil as an “environmental villain” while giving fossil fuel producers a free pass, said Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, in a scathing critique of global climate politics.
Speaking at the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 2025 conference today, Helmy said the world’s major economies had long applied “colonial thinking” and “economic apartheid” to developing nations through policies that penalise palm oil, despite mounting evidence of sustainability progress in Malaysia and Indonesia.
“When fossil fuel use is excused in the name of ‘energy security’, sustainable palm oil is banned in the name of ‘deforestation’,” said Helmy, who is also the group managing director of SD Guthrie Bhd.
“Because of these double standards that developing countries cannot afford to fight against, a new challenge is emerging — one that affects global availability itself.”
He warned that persistent hostility towards palm oil has pushed major producers to prioritise domestic needs over exports, reshaping global supply.
Indonesia, he noted, already operates a B40 biodiesel blend, with plans to move toward B50 and eventually B60, while Malaysia is advancing its B30 programme. Scoop
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SD Guthrie rises to top of London-based SPOTT palm oil ESG assessment ranking
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 4): SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) has emerged as the top-ranked company globally in the Zoological Society of London’s SPOTT palm oil assessment for 2025, scoring a 97.5% for its disclosure of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
SD Guthrie is the world’s first palm-oil company with net-zero greenhouse-gas emission targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the company said in a statement.
It operates 234 plantation estates and 11 refineries across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, producing about 12% of the world’s certified sustainable palm oil.
The score places SD Guthrie ahead of 100 palm-oil producers, processors, and traders evaluated under SPOTT, short for the Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit. The platform benchmarks companies on more than 100 sector-specific ESG indicators. The plantation group rose from third place last year, when it scored 94.8%.
Its chief sustainability officer Rashyid Redza Anwarudin said the latest ranking reflects SD Guthrie’s progress in traceability and responsible sourcing efforts.
“Achieving transparency across our global operations is no mean feat, and this reinforces our determination to set standards that catalyse positive change within the industry," Rashyid said.
Listed on Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM36.9 billion as of Nov 3, SD Guthrie is a strategic company of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), with institutional investors including the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP). The Edge
Austria to push for ‘stop-the-clock’ on deforestation rules at Council
Last week, agriculture ministers already rebuked the Commission’s plan to maintain the enforcement date for most companies this year
Austria will spearhead a push at the Council this week to “stop the clock” on the bloc’s deforestation rules until the end of 2026, as part of efforts to buy time and secure tweaks that would exempt most European countries from compliance with the sustainability rules.
As part of a world first regulatory push, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires importers of cocoa, coffee, palm oil, cattle, timber, and rubber to prove their products did not cause deforestation.
The European Commission proposed last month to reopen the rules to ease implementation and avoid overburdening the IT system needed to share compliance data.
In a note dated 31 October and designed to steer debate in Council, Vienna said that the Commission’s proposal “falls short of expectations,” criticising the executive for backtracking on an earlier idea to grant a one-year delay for all companies.
The text will be discussed by EU environment ministers at their Council meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
A diplomatic source said that at least 13 countries could be aligned with Austria’s demands.
Austria argues for an “immediate stop-the-clock” on EUDR implementation for one year “until simplifications have been concluded,” saying there is not enough time to change the rules before they take effect in December.
Vienna is also calling for some countries to be classified as “no risk” of deforestation, for a minimum threshold below which the rules would not apply, and for lighter requirements along the value chain.
“Sustainable forest management is part of Austria’s DNA,” Agriculture and Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig told Euractiv via email on Saturday. “However, in its current form, the EUDR risks penalising those who are already practising sustainable forest management,” he added.
Last week, agriculture ministers rebuked the Commission’s plan to maintain the enforcement date for most companies this year, criticising the lack of time for negotiations
At a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, EU ambassadors also voiced concerns, with a majority backing a one-year delay but diverging on how to adapt the rules to ease compliance.
Even to delay the legislation, the Council and European Parliament would need to reach an agreement by 15 December – the final opportunity for a plenary vote in Strasbourg before the end of the year. Euractiv
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MPOB slams West for ‘double standards’ over palm oil, climate policy
Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha accuses rich nations of hypocrisy for vilifying palm oil while excusing fossil fuel emissions in the name of energy security
KUALA LUMPUR — The world must end its hypocrisy in treating palm oil as an “environmental villain” while giving fossil fuel producers a free pass, said Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, in a scathing critique of global climate politics.
Speaking at the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) 2025 conference today, Helmy said the world’s major economies had long applied “colonial thinking” and “economic apartheid” to developing nations through policies that penalise palm oil, despite mounting evidence of sustainability progress in Malaysia and Indonesia.
“When fossil fuel use is excused in the name of ‘energy security’, sustainable palm oil is banned in the name of ‘deforestation’,” said Helmy, who is also the group managing director of SD Guthrie Bhd.
“Because of these double standards that developing countries cannot afford to fight against, a new challenge is emerging — one that affects global availability itself.”
He warned that persistent hostility towards palm oil has pushed major producers to prioritise domestic needs over exports, reshaping global supply.
Indonesia, he noted, already operates a B40 biodiesel blend, with plans to move toward B50 and eventually B60, while Malaysia is advancing its B30 programme. Scoop
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SD Guthrie rises to top of London-based SPOTT palm oil ESG assessment ranking
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 4): SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG) has emerged as the top-ranked company globally in the Zoological Society of London’s SPOTT palm oil assessment for 2025, scoring a 97.5% for its disclosure of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
SD Guthrie is the world’s first palm-oil company with net-zero greenhouse-gas emission targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the company said in a statement.
It operates 234 plantation estates and 11 refineries across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, producing about 12% of the world’s certified sustainable palm oil.
The score places SD Guthrie ahead of 100 palm-oil producers, processors, and traders evaluated under SPOTT, short for the Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit. The platform benchmarks companies on more than 100 sector-specific ESG indicators. The plantation group rose from third place last year, when it scored 94.8%.
Its chief sustainability officer Rashyid Redza Anwarudin said the latest ranking reflects SD Guthrie’s progress in traceability and responsible sourcing efforts.
“Achieving transparency across our global operations is no mean feat, and this reinforces our determination to set standards that catalyse positive change within the industry," Rashyid said.
Listed on Bursa Malaysia with a market capitalisation of RM36.9 billion as of Nov 3, SD Guthrie is a strategic company of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), with institutional investors including the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP). The Edge
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November 03, 2025
Indonesia continue to promote fuel blending policies to reduce energy imports
Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen measures to reduce dependence on imported energy, which has been a burden on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. One of the main strategies currently being accelerated is the fuel blending policy — mixing fossil fuels with plant-based energy sources such as biodiesel and ethanol.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated on Thursday, October 30, that Indonesia’s annual energy imports have reached Rp520 trillion (USD 31.23 billion)—a significant amount that could deplete the country’s foreign exchange reserves. To address this, the government views the blending policy as a step to reduce import dependence while strengthening national energy security and self-sufficiency.
“Every year, we lose Rp520 trillion to purchase energy raw materials from abroad. The Indonesian people’s money is actually being used to enrich other countries,” said Bahlil.
Still comfortable with the import scheme
According to Bahlil, some businesspeople still want to maintain energy import practices because they benefit from the import quota system that has been in place so far. “Those who want imports to continue are the parties who are too comfortable with the system. They enjoy large margins from import activities,” he said.
However, Bahlil continued, President Prabowo Subianto’s administration is committed to reducing dependence on foreign energy supplies, in line with the policy direction of energy independence and national downstreaming.
Bahlil said that “before the biodiesel program, we imported around 34 million tons of diesel fuel per year. Now, after the implementation of B10–B40, imports have fallen dramatically to around 4.9 million barrels per year.”
This biodiesel program not only reduces imports but also strengthens the domestic palm oil industry, which is the main source of vegetable blend raw materials.
Ethanol and DME are the next focus Tanah Air
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Unfair EU rules could squeeze palm oil out of global supply chain — MPOB chairman
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) risks squeezing palm oil out of global supply chains, as persistent bias and trade barriers continue to penalise producing nations despite their proven progress in protecting forests, said Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha.
He cautioned that persistent bias and restrictive rules could trigger a shortage in global supply, with top producers like Indonesia — the world’s largest palm oil exporter — diverting more output to meet domestic needs, including its B50 biodiesel mandate.
“The relentless negativity towards palm oil has resulted in some markets pushing it away. And so, the anti-palm oil folk may soon get their wish — the world is already seeing the steady disappearance of palm oil from the global market,” he said in his speech at the Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025).
Helmy, who is also the group managing director of SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), said the EUDR continues to unfairly penalise developing countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia despite their tangible progress in curbing deforestation.
Citing data from the World Resources Institute and Global Forest Watch, he noted that Malaysia’s primary forest loss has fallen by more than 60% from its peak, while Indonesia has recorded consistent annual declines — with both nations maintaining over 50% forest cover, higher than many developed countries.
“Despite a record of declining deforestation and maintaining forest cover above 50%, Malaysia was given a ‘standard-risk’ rating under the EUDR, while countries with worse track records and lower forest cover were rated ‘low risk’. To some of us, it feels like the same old tune — victimise palm oil producers so others can continue doing what they always have done,” he said.
Helmy argued that applying uniform environmental standards across rich and poor nations is inherently unjust, calling it “economic apartheid”. Deforestation, he said, must be viewed alongside economic realities, as developing nations still rely on their natural resources to build infrastructure, create jobs, and sustain livelihoods.
“The only equitable and ethical solution is to allow poorer nations to use their natural resources responsibly. The quid pro quo? Every rich country with less than 50% forest cover must step up and start planting — or start paying underdeveloped nations to maintain theirs. There is no other way,” he said. The Edge
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Stop demonising palm oil, says SD Guthrie
KUALA LUMPUR: SD Guthrie Bhd has called for an end to the skewed perception on palm oil that paints it as an environmental villain.
Group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the relentless negativity towards palm oil has resulted in markets pushing the commodity away.
"Over the past three decades, while palm oil was being painted as one of the great environmental villains, fossil fuel producers — whose emissions are the largest direct cause of climate change — often escaped equivalent moral outrage, despite having far greater, global-scale impacts.
"When fossil fuel use is often excused in the name of 'energy security', sustainable palm oil is banned in the name of 'deforestation'.
"Thanks to all these double standards that developing countries cannot afford to fight against, a new challenge is emerging — one that affects global availability itself," he said at the roundtable conference on sustainable palm oil here today.
He noted that Indonesia, the world's largest producer of palm oil, is turning inward.
"The anti-palm oil folk may soon get their wish, the world is already seeing the steady disappearance of palm oil from the global market."
He added that palm oil was often associated with deforestation, with powerful images to back the alleged claims.
However, the narrative has changed and showed that the problems the world is facing was never all about palm oil.
"We all know that if every hectare of oil palm plantation in the world is returned to forest, the world would be much worse off."
Deforestation would increase as less efficient replacement crops were planted to meet global vegetable oil demand.
"Socio economic challenges will befall thousands of smallholders and small companies in the producer countries, as they turn towards less financially rewarding crops," said Mohamad Helmy.
He cited the World Resources Institute and Global Forest Watch that revealed primary forest loss in Malaysia and Indonesia had significantly dropped over the past decade.
Forest loss in Malaysia dropped more than 60 per cent in its peak while Indonesia is seeing a decline in deforestation every year, he added.
This resulted in more than 50 per cent of forest cover for both countries.
"These are verifiable facts. Take for example the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
"A record of declining deforestation and maintaining forest cover at above 50 per cent, landed Malaysia a standard risk rating. And yet, other countries with worse track records and lower forest cover, were rated low risk.
He added that applying a single standard for land use change is unfair. However, applying a more stringent standard on a poor or developing country is economic apartheid.
"The only equitable and ethical solutions for poorer countries are to allow them to use their natural resources and they should be allowed to lose some of their forest to stimulate economic activity for their people," he said.
On biodiesel blending, he said a rise in blending means more palm oil is used domestically for energy, making it less available for export.
Indonesia is eyeing a B60 biodiesel mandate while Malaysia is aiming towards B30.
"Analysts estimate that if Indonesia reaches B50, that alone could absorb an additional three-four million tonnes of palm oil per year.
"So, while the global North debates whether to 'phase out' palm oil, the two biggest producers are blending it for fuel.
"Is this the outcome that the anti-palm oil lobby wanted? The world is losing access to the most efficient, most productive, and most sustainably produced vegetable oil," he added. NST
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“No palm oil” label by RSPO Members undermines sustainable palm oil growers
There are brands that sit with us at the same table, that claim to believe in sustainable palm oil — yet proudly sell products that say “No Palm Oil.”
Speech by Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Group Managing Director of SD Guthrie and
Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), at RSPO RT2025 – Shangri-La Hotel Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, 3 November 2025
We cannot preach sustainability in this room but reinforce the old rhetoric that palm oil is bad. Make no mistake, when you advertise the absence of palm oil, what you are saying is, “this product is good, because there is no palm oil in it.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, to believe in Certified Sustainable Palm Oil is to defend it —consistently, publicly, and without apology. If you are a global brand, you can't hide by claiming your business in Spain is run independently from the one in Malaysia. Just
like Guthrie cannot say our business in South Africa is independent from our business in Solomon Islands when it comes to sustainability.
Download the full speech from Speech by Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Group Managing Director of SD Guthrie and Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), at RSPO RT2025 – Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 3 November 2025
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Palm Oil Smallholders Issue Urgent Call to Buyers as Sustainability Efforts Fail to Deliver Enough Income
KUALA LUMPUR – 3 NOVEMBER 2025
During the 2025 Annual Conference of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a serious issue emerges: tens of thousands of certified independent smallholders are being left behind by the very system designed to support them. Despite achieving RSPO certification—a process requiring significant investment and commitment to social and environmental standards—the market is failing to purchase their certified produce and reward their efforts to invest in sustainability. The lack of uptake of credits creates a financial challenge for small farmers and threatens the integrity of the sustainable palm oil movement.
At the RT2025 conference in Kuala Lumpur (November 3–5), smallholders are demanding that their voices be heard. They are urging global buyers and corporations to immediately step up support and buy more volume of their produce, or buy their RSPO credits: credits that are meant to compensate farmers for their sustainability efforts. In short, farmers demand to be a more integral part of the palm oil value chain.
On day one of the conference, small-scale farmer and ISH group manager Pedro Seijas from Peru delivered a strong call for support. Seijas, the Chairman of the National Association of Independent Palm Oil Farmers (ANICAP), stated:
“Today, nearly 50,000 smallholders certified under the RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard (ISH) are making a real contribution to the sector's transformation. We’ve done our part. But we share a common challenge: shifting from implementing sustainability to making a living from sustainability. The way forward requires a comprehensive strategy to stimulate demand for sustainably produced material —one that combines visibility, education, and shared responsibility.”
A $282 Billion Industry Overlooking SmallholdersMarieke Leegwater, senior oil palm expert at Solidaridad, confirms that Seijas touches on a sensitive and critical issue. "The embedded palm oil value chain, with a value of $282 billion, generates huge profits for companies, yet smallholder oil palm farmers often risk living in poverty. Smallholders contribute around 30% of global production and play an increasingly central role in rural economic development and preserving biodiversity. However, this pivotal role is often overlooked, with policies implemented by buying companies focusing on compliance, creating requirements that are more easily met by large industrial plantations."
To support smallholders rewarding their sustainability efforts, the RSPO created the Independent Smallholder Credits, a mechanism designed to provide financial incentives to certified farmers. However, the system does not sufficiently deliver the desired results: while the number of certified independent smallholders is growing rapidly, the purchase of their corresponding credits is declining.
Leegwater expresses concern: “The lack of uptake of Independent smallholder credits is part of a bigger problem, where smallholder realities are insufficiently taken into account by end-users of palm oil. The lack of uptake of credits exemplifies this problem. The number of smallholders achieving RSPO certification over the last year was impressive. It is quite frustrating to see that their certificates are not being bought now. We call upon all buyers to urgently look into the options they have to buy these credits for a fair price.”
Value of credits traded for Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and Certified Sustainable Palm Kernal Oil (CSPKO) in USD (source: RSPO Impact Update Report 2025)
The Path to Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chains Must Be Inclusive
In May, Solidaridad published the global Palm Oil Barometer, laying down recommendations on how to do this. The report maps the smallholder situation and gives recommendations for companies to ensure more smallholder-inclusive sourcing.
The core question, according to Seijas, remains: “ It is not ‘How many producers can we certify?’ but rather ‘How do we generate sustainable incentives that match the tremendous effort of smallholders?’ The answer starts with buyers closing the loop.”
For more information or interviews, please contact Solidaridad’s press officer Bram Verkerke: [email protected] or call +31 6 296 01233.
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Indonesia continue to promote fuel blending policies to reduce energy imports
Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen measures to reduce dependence on imported energy, which has been a burden on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. One of the main strategies currently being accelerated is the fuel blending policy — mixing fossil fuels with plant-based energy sources such as biodiesel and ethanol.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated on Thursday, October 30, that Indonesia’s annual energy imports have reached Rp520 trillion (USD 31.23 billion)—a significant amount that could deplete the country’s foreign exchange reserves. To address this, the government views the blending policy as a step to reduce import dependence while strengthening national energy security and self-sufficiency.
“Every year, we lose Rp520 trillion to purchase energy raw materials from abroad. The Indonesian people’s money is actually being used to enrich other countries,” said Bahlil.
Still comfortable with the import scheme
According to Bahlil, some businesspeople still want to maintain energy import practices because they benefit from the import quota system that has been in place so far. “Those who want imports to continue are the parties who are too comfortable with the system. They enjoy large margins from import activities,” he said.
However, Bahlil continued, President Prabowo Subianto’s administration is committed to reducing dependence on foreign energy supplies, in line with the policy direction of energy independence and national downstreaming.
Bahlil said that “before the biodiesel program, we imported around 34 million tons of diesel fuel per year. Now, after the implementation of B10–B40, imports have fallen dramatically to around 4.9 million barrels per year.”
This biodiesel program not only reduces imports but also strengthens the domestic palm oil industry, which is the main source of vegetable blend raw materials.
Ethanol and DME are the next focus Tanah Air
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Unfair EU rules could squeeze palm oil out of global supply chain — MPOB chairman
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) risks squeezing palm oil out of global supply chains, as persistent bias and trade barriers continue to penalise producing nations despite their proven progress in protecting forests, said Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha.
He cautioned that persistent bias and restrictive rules could trigger a shortage in global supply, with top producers like Indonesia — the world’s largest palm oil exporter — diverting more output to meet domestic needs, including its B50 biodiesel mandate.
“The relentless negativity towards palm oil has resulted in some markets pushing it away. And so, the anti-palm oil folk may soon get their wish — the world is already seeing the steady disappearance of palm oil from the global market,” he said in his speech at the Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025).
Helmy, who is also the group managing director of SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), said the EUDR continues to unfairly penalise developing countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia despite their tangible progress in curbing deforestation.
Citing data from the World Resources Institute and Global Forest Watch, he noted that Malaysia’s primary forest loss has fallen by more than 60% from its peak, while Indonesia has recorded consistent annual declines — with both nations maintaining over 50% forest cover, higher than many developed countries.
“Despite a record of declining deforestation and maintaining forest cover above 50%, Malaysia was given a ‘standard-risk’ rating under the EUDR, while countries with worse track records and lower forest cover were rated ‘low risk’. To some of us, it feels like the same old tune — victimise palm oil producers so others can continue doing what they always have done,” he said.
Helmy argued that applying uniform environmental standards across rich and poor nations is inherently unjust, calling it “economic apartheid”. Deforestation, he said, must be viewed alongside economic realities, as developing nations still rely on their natural resources to build infrastructure, create jobs, and sustain livelihoods.
“The only equitable and ethical solution is to allow poorer nations to use their natural resources responsibly. The quid pro quo? Every rich country with less than 50% forest cover must step up and start planting — or start paying underdeveloped nations to maintain theirs. There is no other way,” he said. The Edge
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Stop demonising palm oil, says SD Guthrie
KUALA LUMPUR: SD Guthrie Bhd has called for an end to the skewed perception on palm oil that paints it as an environmental villain.
Group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the relentless negativity towards palm oil has resulted in markets pushing the commodity away.
"Over the past three decades, while palm oil was being painted as one of the great environmental villains, fossil fuel producers — whose emissions are the largest direct cause of climate change — often escaped equivalent moral outrage, despite having far greater, global-scale impacts.
"When fossil fuel use is often excused in the name of 'energy security', sustainable palm oil is banned in the name of 'deforestation'.
"Thanks to all these double standards that developing countries cannot afford to fight against, a new challenge is emerging — one that affects global availability itself," he said at the roundtable conference on sustainable palm oil here today.
He noted that Indonesia, the world's largest producer of palm oil, is turning inward.
"The anti-palm oil folk may soon get their wish, the world is already seeing the steady disappearance of palm oil from the global market."
He added that palm oil was often associated with deforestation, with powerful images to back the alleged claims.
However, the narrative has changed and showed that the problems the world is facing was never all about palm oil.
"We all know that if every hectare of oil palm plantation in the world is returned to forest, the world would be much worse off."
Deforestation would increase as less efficient replacement crops were planted to meet global vegetable oil demand.
"Socio economic challenges will befall thousands of smallholders and small companies in the producer countries, as they turn towards less financially rewarding crops," said Mohamad Helmy.
He cited the World Resources Institute and Global Forest Watch that revealed primary forest loss in Malaysia and Indonesia had significantly dropped over the past decade.
Forest loss in Malaysia dropped more than 60 per cent in its peak while Indonesia is seeing a decline in deforestation every year, he added.
This resulted in more than 50 per cent of forest cover for both countries.
"These are verifiable facts. Take for example the European Union Deforestation Regulation.
"A record of declining deforestation and maintaining forest cover at above 50 per cent, landed Malaysia a standard risk rating. And yet, other countries with worse track records and lower forest cover, were rated low risk.
He added that applying a single standard for land use change is unfair. However, applying a more stringent standard on a poor or developing country is economic apartheid.
"The only equitable and ethical solutions for poorer countries are to allow them to use their natural resources and they should be allowed to lose some of their forest to stimulate economic activity for their people," he said.
On biodiesel blending, he said a rise in blending means more palm oil is used domestically for energy, making it less available for export.
Indonesia is eyeing a B60 biodiesel mandate while Malaysia is aiming towards B30.
"Analysts estimate that if Indonesia reaches B50, that alone could absorb an additional three-four million tonnes of palm oil per year.
"So, while the global North debates whether to 'phase out' palm oil, the two biggest producers are blending it for fuel.
"Is this the outcome that the anti-palm oil lobby wanted? The world is losing access to the most efficient, most productive, and most sustainably produced vegetable oil," he added. NST
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“No palm oil” label by RSPO Members undermines sustainable palm oil growers
There are brands that sit with us at the same table, that claim to believe in sustainable palm oil — yet proudly sell products that say “No Palm Oil.”
Speech by Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Group Managing Director of SD Guthrie and
Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), at RSPO RT2025 – Shangri-La Hotel Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia, 3 November 2025
We cannot preach sustainability in this room but reinforce the old rhetoric that palm oil is bad. Make no mistake, when you advertise the absence of palm oil, what you are saying is, “this product is good, because there is no palm oil in it.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, to believe in Certified Sustainable Palm Oil is to defend it —consistently, publicly, and without apology. If you are a global brand, you can't hide by claiming your business in Spain is run independently from the one in Malaysia. Just
like Guthrie cannot say our business in South Africa is independent from our business in Solomon Islands when it comes to sustainability.
Download the full speech from Speech by Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, Group Managing Director of SD Guthrie and Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), at RSPO RT2025 – Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 3 November 2025
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Palm Oil Smallholders Issue Urgent Call to Buyers as Sustainability Efforts Fail to Deliver Enough Income
KUALA LUMPUR – 3 NOVEMBER 2025
During the 2025 Annual Conference of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a serious issue emerges: tens of thousands of certified independent smallholders are being left behind by the very system designed to support them. Despite achieving RSPO certification—a process requiring significant investment and commitment to social and environmental standards—the market is failing to purchase their certified produce and reward their efforts to invest in sustainability. The lack of uptake of credits creates a financial challenge for small farmers and threatens the integrity of the sustainable palm oil movement.
At the RT2025 conference in Kuala Lumpur (November 3–5), smallholders are demanding that their voices be heard. They are urging global buyers and corporations to immediately step up support and buy more volume of their produce, or buy their RSPO credits: credits that are meant to compensate farmers for their sustainability efforts. In short, farmers demand to be a more integral part of the palm oil value chain.
On day one of the conference, small-scale farmer and ISH group manager Pedro Seijas from Peru delivered a strong call for support. Seijas, the Chairman of the National Association of Independent Palm Oil Farmers (ANICAP), stated:
“Today, nearly 50,000 smallholders certified under the RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard (ISH) are making a real contribution to the sector's transformation. We’ve done our part. But we share a common challenge: shifting from implementing sustainability to making a living from sustainability. The way forward requires a comprehensive strategy to stimulate demand for sustainably produced material —one that combines visibility, education, and shared responsibility.”
A $282 Billion Industry Overlooking SmallholdersMarieke Leegwater, senior oil palm expert at Solidaridad, confirms that Seijas touches on a sensitive and critical issue. "The embedded palm oil value chain, with a value of $282 billion, generates huge profits for companies, yet smallholder oil palm farmers often risk living in poverty. Smallholders contribute around 30% of global production and play an increasingly central role in rural economic development and preserving biodiversity. However, this pivotal role is often overlooked, with policies implemented by buying companies focusing on compliance, creating requirements that are more easily met by large industrial plantations."
To support smallholders rewarding their sustainability efforts, the RSPO created the Independent Smallholder Credits, a mechanism designed to provide financial incentives to certified farmers. However, the system does not sufficiently deliver the desired results: while the number of certified independent smallholders is growing rapidly, the purchase of their corresponding credits is declining.
Leegwater expresses concern: “The lack of uptake of Independent smallholder credits is part of a bigger problem, where smallholder realities are insufficiently taken into account by end-users of palm oil. The lack of uptake of credits exemplifies this problem. The number of smallholders achieving RSPO certification over the last year was impressive. It is quite frustrating to see that their certificates are not being bought now. We call upon all buyers to urgently look into the options they have to buy these credits for a fair price.”
Value of credits traded for Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and Certified Sustainable Palm Kernal Oil (CSPKO) in USD (source: RSPO Impact Update Report 2025)
The Path to Sustainable Palm Oil Value Chains Must Be Inclusive
In May, Solidaridad published the global Palm Oil Barometer, laying down recommendations on how to do this. The report maps the smallholder situation and gives recommendations for companies to ensure more smallholder-inclusive sourcing.
The core question, according to Seijas, remains: “ It is not ‘How many producers can we certify?’ but rather ‘How do we generate sustainable incentives that match the tremendous effort of smallholders?’ The answer starts with buyers closing the loop.”
For more information or interviews, please contact Solidaridad’s press officer Bram Verkerke: [email protected] or call +31 6 296 01233.
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November 02, 2025
Indonesia, US to resume tariff talks in November
Indonesia and the United States are set to restart negotiations over a reciprocal tariff deal in November after a delay caused by the recent U.S. government shutdown.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto confirmed that most issues had been settled, with only legal drafting still under discussion.
The next round of talks is expected to take place after the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in South Korea, where the Presidents of both countries are attending.
A major point of discussion is the list of commodities exempted from tariffs. Airlangga said Indonesia could receive terms similar to those for Malaysia in its recent agreement with the U.S., including zero tariffs on products the U.S. does not produce domestically, such as palm oil, cocoa, and rubber. Indonesia has also requested exemptions for medical supply chain goods and other key industries.
The proposed tariff framework outlines a 19% duty on Indonesian exports to the U.S., a 99% tariff elimination for U.S. goods entering Indonesia, and additional trade concessions. Both countries have expressed confidence that the upcoming round of talks will lead to a final agreement. The InvestorVN
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National Confectioners Association welcomes cocoa and palm oil deals with Malaysia and Cambodia
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has welcomed an agreement that will exempt Malaysian and Cambodian cocoa and palm oil products from tariffs that had applied to imports from the region, writes Neill Barston.
Notably, the US had placed a 19% tax rate on the two countries – impacting negatively on confectionery companies attempting to source key cocoa ingredients that are not grown commercially in the US.
This led to companies such as Hershey recently unsuccessfully lobbying the White House for exemptions for its supply chains -which presently include core producing nations of Ghana and Ivory Coast.
However, the NCA has welcomed the latest development from the Trump administration – which according to regional reports, made the the strategic move to exempt cocoa and palm oil, in return for relaxing an export ban on rare earth minerals. This, according to market observers, had been to counter Chinese activity in the region – with the Asian powerhouse seeking to establish its own major deals with the Malaysia government.
In response to the exclusion of Malaysian and Cambodian cocoa and palm oil inputs from IEEPA import tariffs, the NCA expressed hope that similar deals could be struck with other key cocoa producing nations.
In a statement, the NCA said: “Cocoa is the foundation of America’s chocolate industry, an industry that fuels growth, innovation, and joy across the nation. By excluding critical cocoa and chocolate inputs from Malaysia and Cambodia from IEEPA tariffs, the Trump Administration is taking steps to ensure that U.S. chocolate manufacturing remains competitive, prices remain stable, and “American families can continue to celebrate holidays like Halloween with affordable treats. Cocoa cannot be commercially grown in the United States, making the U.S. manufacturing sector entirely reliant on imported cocoa inputs, so we are very encouraged by tariff exemptions included in these finalised trade deals. We encourage the Administration to swiftly build on this progress by concluding negotiations with other major cocoa and palm trading partners around the world.” Confectionery Production
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Malaysia defends palm oil industry's role in orangutan conservation
TAIPING: Malaysia remains committed to striking a balance between environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly in the conservation of orangutans and the management of its palm oil industry.
Plantation and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof said that, globally, orangutans were often used as symbols in environmental campaigns by groups seeking to portray the palm oil industry as the main driver of deforestation.
"In reality, Malaysia has long implemented various sustainable policies and standards, such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification, which mandates the protection of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, regulates forest clearing, and promotes the restoration of wildlife corridors.
"We do not dismiss concerns about the fate of orangutans, but this biased narrative must be corrected," he said.
Yusran Shah, who is also Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) Board of Trustees chairman said this in his speech during the World Orangutan Day celebration at Zoo Taiping and Night Safari today.
He added that statistics showed more than 50 per cent of orangutan habitats in Sabah and Sarawak were now located within protected areas, with a significant portion of conservation funding coming directly from the palm oil industry itself through initiatives such as MPOGCF, Sawit Kinabalu, and other local companies.
"The celebration of World Orangutan Day is not merely symbolic, but a reaffirmation of Malaysia's commitment to maintaining a balance between economic progress and biodiversity conservation.
"The orangutan should not be used as a tool to attack the palm oil industry; rather, it serves as evidence that a sustainable palm oil sector can be a strategic partner in environmental protection," he said.
Yusran Shah said MPOGCF, as a trust entity under the ministry, played a vital role in aligning the palm oil sector with conservation goals.
"This approach not only protects the image of Malaysian palm oil but also demonstrates that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability can advance together.
"I would also like to commend Zoo Taiping and Night Safari for their success in integrating education, tourism, and conservation. This collaboration should serve as an example for other agencies and organisations in promoting empathy and appreciation for wildlife," he added. NST
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Malaysian Strengthens Commitment To Sustainability, Wildlife Conservation
TAIPING, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has long implemented various sustainability policies and standards, including the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification, which mandates the protection of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, regulates forest clearance and supports the restoration of wildlife corridors.
Ministry of Plantations and Commodities Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof said that the commonly used “orangutan narrative” in global environmental campaigns, often portraying the palm oil industry as the main cause of forest destruction, is misleading and needs to be corrected.
"Statistics show that more than 50 per cent of orangutan habitat in Sabah and Sarawak is now in protected areas. In fact, a large portion of conservation funding comes directly from the palm oil industry itself through initiatives such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF), Sawit Kinabalu and other local companies.
"Orangutans should not be used as a tool to attack the oil palm industry. On the contrary, there is evidence that a sustainable palm oil sector can serve as a strategic partner in environmental conservation, " he said when opening the 2025 World Orangutan Day at the Taiping Zoo & Night Safari here today.
Yusran Shah, who is also MPOGCF Board of Trustees chairman, emphasised that the annual World Orangutan Day celebration is more than a symbolic gesture, but also reflects Malaysia’s genuine commitment to achieving a balance between economic growth and biodiversity conservation.
He said that MPOGCF, as a trust entity under the ministry, plays an important role in aligning the palm oil sector with the national and global conservation goals.
“This approach not only protects the image of the country’s palm oil, but also proves that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand,” he added.
He said, although World Orangutan Day is officially observed on Aug 19, this year’s celebration was held today due to logistical constraints.
Yusran Shah said hosting the event in Peninsular Malaysia, despite orangutans being native only to Sabah and Sarawak, helps foster a sense of shared responsibility among all Malaysians.
“Orangutan conservation is not the responsibility of Sabah or Sarawak alone, but a duty shared by every Malaysian,” he said.
This year saw the first-ever collaboration between MPOGCF and Taiping Zoo & Night Safari, a venue well known for its wildlife conservation efforts.
The celebration featured exhibitions from key partners, including the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), the Department of Wildlife Conservation and National Parks (PERHILITAN), Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU), Sawit Kinabalu, Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation and FELDA. Bernama
Indonesia, US to resume tariff talks in November
Indonesia and the United States are set to restart negotiations over a reciprocal tariff deal in November after a delay caused by the recent U.S. government shutdown.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto confirmed that most issues had been settled, with only legal drafting still under discussion.
The next round of talks is expected to take place after the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in South Korea, where the Presidents of both countries are attending.
A major point of discussion is the list of commodities exempted from tariffs. Airlangga said Indonesia could receive terms similar to those for Malaysia in its recent agreement with the U.S., including zero tariffs on products the U.S. does not produce domestically, such as palm oil, cocoa, and rubber. Indonesia has also requested exemptions for medical supply chain goods and other key industries.
The proposed tariff framework outlines a 19% duty on Indonesian exports to the U.S., a 99% tariff elimination for U.S. goods entering Indonesia, and additional trade concessions. Both countries have expressed confidence that the upcoming round of talks will lead to a final agreement. The InvestorVN
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National Confectioners Association welcomes cocoa and palm oil deals with Malaysia and Cambodia
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has welcomed an agreement that will exempt Malaysian and Cambodian cocoa and palm oil products from tariffs that had applied to imports from the region, writes Neill Barston.
Notably, the US had placed a 19% tax rate on the two countries – impacting negatively on confectionery companies attempting to source key cocoa ingredients that are not grown commercially in the US.
This led to companies such as Hershey recently unsuccessfully lobbying the White House for exemptions for its supply chains -which presently include core producing nations of Ghana and Ivory Coast.
However, the NCA has welcomed the latest development from the Trump administration – which according to regional reports, made the the strategic move to exempt cocoa and palm oil, in return for relaxing an export ban on rare earth minerals. This, according to market observers, had been to counter Chinese activity in the region – with the Asian powerhouse seeking to establish its own major deals with the Malaysia government.
In response to the exclusion of Malaysian and Cambodian cocoa and palm oil inputs from IEEPA import tariffs, the NCA expressed hope that similar deals could be struck with other key cocoa producing nations.
In a statement, the NCA said: “Cocoa is the foundation of America’s chocolate industry, an industry that fuels growth, innovation, and joy across the nation. By excluding critical cocoa and chocolate inputs from Malaysia and Cambodia from IEEPA tariffs, the Trump Administration is taking steps to ensure that U.S. chocolate manufacturing remains competitive, prices remain stable, and “American families can continue to celebrate holidays like Halloween with affordable treats. Cocoa cannot be commercially grown in the United States, making the U.S. manufacturing sector entirely reliant on imported cocoa inputs, so we are very encouraged by tariff exemptions included in these finalised trade deals. We encourage the Administration to swiftly build on this progress by concluding negotiations with other major cocoa and palm trading partners around the world.” Confectionery Production
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Malaysia defends palm oil industry's role in orangutan conservation
TAIPING: Malaysia remains committed to striking a balance between environmental protection and sustainable development, particularly in the conservation of orangutans and the management of its palm oil industry.
Plantation and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof said that, globally, orangutans were often used as symbols in environmental campaigns by groups seeking to portray the palm oil industry as the main driver of deforestation.
"In reality, Malaysia has long implemented various sustainable policies and standards, such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification, which mandates the protection of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, regulates forest clearing, and promotes the restoration of wildlife corridors.
"We do not dismiss concerns about the fate of orangutans, but this biased narrative must be corrected," he said.
Yusran Shah, who is also Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) Board of Trustees chairman said this in his speech during the World Orangutan Day celebration at Zoo Taiping and Night Safari today.
He added that statistics showed more than 50 per cent of orangutan habitats in Sabah and Sarawak were now located within protected areas, with a significant portion of conservation funding coming directly from the palm oil industry itself through initiatives such as MPOGCF, Sawit Kinabalu, and other local companies.
"The celebration of World Orangutan Day is not merely symbolic, but a reaffirmation of Malaysia's commitment to maintaining a balance between economic progress and biodiversity conservation.
"The orangutan should not be used as a tool to attack the palm oil industry; rather, it serves as evidence that a sustainable palm oil sector can be a strategic partner in environmental protection," he said.
Yusran Shah said MPOGCF, as a trust entity under the ministry, played a vital role in aligning the palm oil sector with conservation goals.
"This approach not only protects the image of Malaysian palm oil but also demonstrates that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability can advance together.
"I would also like to commend Zoo Taiping and Night Safari for their success in integrating education, tourism, and conservation. This collaboration should serve as an example for other agencies and organisations in promoting empathy and appreciation for wildlife," he added. NST
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Malaysian Strengthens Commitment To Sustainability, Wildlife Conservation
TAIPING, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has long implemented various sustainability policies and standards, including the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification, which mandates the protection of High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, regulates forest clearance and supports the restoration of wildlife corridors.
Ministry of Plantations and Commodities Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof said that the commonly used “orangutan narrative” in global environmental campaigns, often portraying the palm oil industry as the main cause of forest destruction, is misleading and needs to be corrected.
"Statistics show that more than 50 per cent of orangutan habitat in Sabah and Sarawak is now in protected areas. In fact, a large portion of conservation funding comes directly from the palm oil industry itself through initiatives such as the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF), Sawit Kinabalu and other local companies.
"Orangutans should not be used as a tool to attack the oil palm industry. On the contrary, there is evidence that a sustainable palm oil sector can serve as a strategic partner in environmental conservation, " he said when opening the 2025 World Orangutan Day at the Taiping Zoo & Night Safari here today.
Yusran Shah, who is also MPOGCF Board of Trustees chairman, emphasised that the annual World Orangutan Day celebration is more than a symbolic gesture, but also reflects Malaysia’s genuine commitment to achieving a balance between economic growth and biodiversity conservation.
He said that MPOGCF, as a trust entity under the ministry, plays an important role in aligning the palm oil sector with the national and global conservation goals.
“This approach not only protects the image of the country’s palm oil, but also proves that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand,” he added.
He said, although World Orangutan Day is officially observed on Aug 19, this year’s celebration was held today due to logistical constraints.
Yusran Shah said hosting the event in Peninsular Malaysia, despite orangutans being native only to Sabah and Sarawak, helps foster a sense of shared responsibility among all Malaysians.
“Orangutan conservation is not the responsibility of Sabah or Sarawak alone, but a duty shared by every Malaysian,” he said.
This year saw the first-ever collaboration between MPOGCF and Taiping Zoo & Night Safari, a venue well known for its wildlife conservation efforts.
The celebration featured exhibitions from key partners, including the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), the Department of Wildlife Conservation and National Parks (PERHILITAN), Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU), Sawit Kinabalu, Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation and FELDA. Bernama
November 01, 2025
Malaysia’s successful negotiation with the US should serve as a model for Indonesia, Analyst Says
Jakarta. Indonesia must strengthen its bargaining position to push the United States into lowering its import tariff on palm oil to zero percent, mirroring the deal Washington recently struck with Malaysia, according to the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios).
Celios Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara said Malaysia’s successful negotiation with the US should serve as a model for Indonesia.
“Looking at the palm oil issue, Malaysia can get a zero percent tariff, meaning Indonesia should leverage its bargaining power more effectively,” Bhima said on Friday.
Earlier this week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump signed a trade pact that maintained a 19 percent general tariff rate on Malaysian goods but granted zero tariffs for key commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, and rubber, all of which are also Indonesia’s main export products to the US. Jakarta Globe
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Indonesian President Prabowo confirms ongoing Indonesia-US zero-tariff talks
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed that negotiations with the United States on zero-percent import tariffs remain ongoing.
"Yes, negotiations are still ongoing," he said on the sidelines of the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Friday.
The discussions aim to expand bilateral trade cooperation, particularly in Indonesia's leading export commodities.
On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that further talks with the US would continue after the summit.
He explained that the commodities proposed for zero-percent tariffs are similar to those agreed with Malaysia, such as palm oil, cocoa, rubber, and several other goods not produced in the US.
Hartarto noted that discussions on critical minerals are being conducted separately.
"Critical minerals are being discussed separately, related to the supply chain," he said. "In the joint statement, we refer to them as industrial communities."
Indonesia is seeking to lower tariffs on palm oil exports to zero percent, similar to Malaysia's agreement with the US.
"This (palm oil tariff negotiation) is still in progress. Hopefully, in the discussions, we can at least be on par with Malaysia," said Acting Director General of Agro-Industry Putu Juli Ardika on October 29.
He referred to Malaysia's success in lowering US import tariffs from 25 percent to 19 percent under its newly signed reciprocal tariff agreement with Washington.
Malaysian key products, including palm oil, rubber, wood products, aviation components, and pharmaceuticals, were either exempted from or reduced to zero-percent tariffs by the US. Antara News
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ILO launches grievance apps for Indonesian workers
Digital platforms now allow workers to submit grievances with evidence, receive follow-up recommendations and improve industrial relations across multiple sectors.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), in close collaboration with five trade union confederations, one trade union network and 14 trade union federations, officially launched a suite of upgraded grievance applications aimed at improving workplace conditions and empowering workers in Indonesia’s garment, footwear and palm oil sectors. The launch, held in Jakarta on 29 October, marks a significant advancement in the ILO’s ongoing efforts to promote decent work and strengthen industrial relations across key industries.
These digital tools were developed under the ILO’s Realizing Trade Gains Free from Gender Discrimination and Child Labour (RealGains) project, funded by the Government of Canada. They build upon the previous work of another ILO project title Strengthening Industrial Relations in Indonesia (SIRI), supported by the same donor, and leverage technology to address systemic labour challenges.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with the National Trade Union (SPN), the Garment and Textile Trade Union Federation (Garteks), the Textile, Garment and Leather Trade Union Federation (FSP-TSK), and the Trade Union Network for Palm Oil (JAPBUSI), a coalition of 11 federations representing more than 100,000 workers nationwide. ILO
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RSPO Board of Governors Endorses Proposal to Form Executive Committee for Operational Oversight
RSPO BoG reached a consensus to propose amendments to the RSPO Statutes aimed at strengthening governance by introducing a new Executive Committee (ExCo).
Following the RSPO Board of Governors (BoG) meeting on 9 September 2025, consensus was reached on proposed amendments to the RSPO Statutes to introduce a new Executive Committee (ExCo) to RSPO’s current governance structure. This milestone reflects RSPO’s continued growth in both scale and operational complexity.
Previously, the BoG had fulfilled a dual role: setting RSPO’s strategic direction through a multi-stakeholder consensus approach, and overseeing the operational performance of the RSPO Secretariat. Under the proposed resolutions, the establishment of the ExCo will assume operational management oversight, to be carried out by specialised experts in key areas of RSPO’s work, including finance, human resources, technology and digital transformation.
Reporting to the BoG, the ExCo’s provenance will include budget approvals, risk monitoring, and performance oversight of the Secretariat. The proposed committee will be composed of an independent chair and a majority of independent members selected for their tailored expertise. This addition enhances governance capacity while maintaining the BoG’s focus on high-level strategy and long-term priorities, establishing a clear separation of roles. The BoG will approve policy amendments and developments, establish and appoint committees, as well as approve new projects or initiatives proposed by the Standing Committees. Additionally, the BoG will endorse the annual budget prior to each fiscal year, as approved by the ExCO.
Two Resolutions on the Table
Two new General Assembly (GA) resolutions are tabled for voting by the RSPO membership to formalise the proposed amendments during the 22nd GA in Kuala Lumpur on 5 November 2025: Read more RSPO
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SBTi moves to delay deadline for deforestation-free supply chains
Stemming the deforestation caused by global demand for a small group of commodities has proved more challenging than expected.
Key Takeaways:
Companies have until November 6 to weigh in on changes to the Science Based Target initiative’s Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) Guidance. Proposed revisions include pushing back the final deadline for companies to eliminate deforestation to supply chains to 2030. Current guidelines have a December 2025 date, which stakeholders acknowledge companies will not be able to meet.
“To keep the standard relevant and used, we need to revisit the target year and figure out what to do to keep the momentum going,” said Martha Stevenson, a senior director on the forest team at the nonprofit WWF-US and a member of the expert group advising the initiative on the guidelines
“These deforestation commitments started in 2010; we would have loved to have had action much, much earlier than this,” she added. “No one’s happy about rolling these dates back.”
Stevenson, who led the creation of the first set of FLAG guidelines, said the 2025 deadline has proved unworkable because of international demand for the small group of commodities that drive deforestation — including beef, soy and palm oil — as well as domestic trade in forest countries for those products. Land speculation and ownership rights have also proved difficult to address.
Key commodities Trellis
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'Orangutans should not be used as symbol to attack palm sector'
TAIPING: Orangutan is often misguidedly used as a symbol in environmental campaigns to portray the palm oil industry as the main cause of deforestation, says Plantation and Commodities Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof.
Despite not rejecting the concern shown towards the plight of orangutans, he said the biased narrative surrounding it needs to be corrected.
"The orangutan should not be used as a tool to attack the palm sector. Instead, it stands as proof that a sustainable palm oil industry can be a strategic partner in protecting the environment,” he said in his speech during the World Orangutan Day 2025 celebrations at Pavilion Taiping Zoo and Night Safari today (Nov 1).
The chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) Board of Trustees said the celebration of World Orangutan Day is not merely a symbolic event, but a statement of Malaysia’s commitment to striking a balance between economic development and biodiversity conservation. The StarMY
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For the first time in 36 years, Samyang Foods has decided to release ramen using beef fat
For the first time in 36 years, Samyang Foods has decided to release ramen using '牛脂, beef oil'. In the history of ramen noodles in Korea, the "Woozi wave" is an event that once shook the existence of a company.
The fact that Samyang Foods, which suffered such a Uji wave, brought Uji back out does not just mean the product launch. It is read as a strong will to overcome the painful history of the past and a strong confidence in the brand with the current spicy stir-fried chicken noodles.
Samyang Foods will hold a presentation on the 3rd to announce the launch of "Samyang Ramen 1963," a Uji ramen. Woozi means cow oil at this time. In other words, it is 'Woozi Ramen' using Woozi as oil to fry the noodles of ramen.
Three major ramen companies, including Nongshim, Ottogi, and Samyang Foods, are currently making and selling only palm oil ramen. It is fried noodles with palm oil, a vegetable oil. Therefore, when Samyang Foods launches "Samyang Ramen 1963," it is expected to be the only Woozi Ramen in the industry.
Woozi Ramen basically boasts a savory flavor. This is because Woozi is rich in animal fat, so when heat is applied, it can create a unique flavor. Maeil Business
Malaysia’s successful negotiation with the US should serve as a model for Indonesia, Analyst Says
Jakarta. Indonesia must strengthen its bargaining position to push the United States into lowering its import tariff on palm oil to zero percent, mirroring the deal Washington recently struck with Malaysia, according to the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios).
Celios Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara said Malaysia’s successful negotiation with the US should serve as a model for Indonesia.
“Looking at the palm oil issue, Malaysia can get a zero percent tariff, meaning Indonesia should leverage its bargaining power more effectively,” Bhima said on Friday.
Earlier this week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump signed a trade pact that maintained a 19 percent general tariff rate on Malaysian goods but granted zero tariffs for key commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, and rubber, all of which are also Indonesia’s main export products to the US. Jakarta Globe
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Indonesian President Prabowo confirms ongoing Indonesia-US zero-tariff talks
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed that negotiations with the United States on zero-percent import tariffs remain ongoing.
"Yes, negotiations are still ongoing," he said on the sidelines of the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Friday.
The discussions aim to expand bilateral trade cooperation, particularly in Indonesia's leading export commodities.
On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that further talks with the US would continue after the summit.
He explained that the commodities proposed for zero-percent tariffs are similar to those agreed with Malaysia, such as palm oil, cocoa, rubber, and several other goods not produced in the US.
Hartarto noted that discussions on critical minerals are being conducted separately.
"Critical minerals are being discussed separately, related to the supply chain," he said. "In the joint statement, we refer to them as industrial communities."
Indonesia is seeking to lower tariffs on palm oil exports to zero percent, similar to Malaysia's agreement with the US.
"This (palm oil tariff negotiation) is still in progress. Hopefully, in the discussions, we can at least be on par with Malaysia," said Acting Director General of Agro-Industry Putu Juli Ardika on October 29.
He referred to Malaysia's success in lowering US import tariffs from 25 percent to 19 percent under its newly signed reciprocal tariff agreement with Washington.
Malaysian key products, including palm oil, rubber, wood products, aviation components, and pharmaceuticals, were either exempted from or reduced to zero-percent tariffs by the US. Antara News
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ILO launches grievance apps for Indonesian workers
Digital platforms now allow workers to submit grievances with evidence, receive follow-up recommendations and improve industrial relations across multiple sectors.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), in close collaboration with five trade union confederations, one trade union network and 14 trade union federations, officially launched a suite of upgraded grievance applications aimed at improving workplace conditions and empowering workers in Indonesia’s garment, footwear and palm oil sectors. The launch, held in Jakarta on 29 October, marks a significant advancement in the ILO’s ongoing efforts to promote decent work and strengthen industrial relations across key industries.
These digital tools were developed under the ILO’s Realizing Trade Gains Free from Gender Discrimination and Child Labour (RealGains) project, funded by the Government of Canada. They build upon the previous work of another ILO project title Strengthening Industrial Relations in Indonesia (SIRI), supported by the same donor, and leverage technology to address systemic labour challenges.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with the National Trade Union (SPN), the Garment and Textile Trade Union Federation (Garteks), the Textile, Garment and Leather Trade Union Federation (FSP-TSK), and the Trade Union Network for Palm Oil (JAPBUSI), a coalition of 11 federations representing more than 100,000 workers nationwide. ILO
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RSPO Board of Governors Endorses Proposal to Form Executive Committee for Operational Oversight
RSPO BoG reached a consensus to propose amendments to the RSPO Statutes aimed at strengthening governance by introducing a new Executive Committee (ExCo).
Following the RSPO Board of Governors (BoG) meeting on 9 September 2025, consensus was reached on proposed amendments to the RSPO Statutes to introduce a new Executive Committee (ExCo) to RSPO’s current governance structure. This milestone reflects RSPO’s continued growth in both scale and operational complexity.
Previously, the BoG had fulfilled a dual role: setting RSPO’s strategic direction through a multi-stakeholder consensus approach, and overseeing the operational performance of the RSPO Secretariat. Under the proposed resolutions, the establishment of the ExCo will assume operational management oversight, to be carried out by specialised experts in key areas of RSPO’s work, including finance, human resources, technology and digital transformation.
Reporting to the BoG, the ExCo’s provenance will include budget approvals, risk monitoring, and performance oversight of the Secretariat. The proposed committee will be composed of an independent chair and a majority of independent members selected for their tailored expertise. This addition enhances governance capacity while maintaining the BoG’s focus on high-level strategy and long-term priorities, establishing a clear separation of roles. The BoG will approve policy amendments and developments, establish and appoint committees, as well as approve new projects or initiatives proposed by the Standing Committees. Additionally, the BoG will endorse the annual budget prior to each fiscal year, as approved by the ExCO.
Two Resolutions on the Table
Two new General Assembly (GA) resolutions are tabled for voting by the RSPO membership to formalise the proposed amendments during the 22nd GA in Kuala Lumpur on 5 November 2025: Read more RSPO
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SBTi moves to delay deadline for deforestation-free supply chains
Stemming the deforestation caused by global demand for a small group of commodities has proved more challenging than expected.
Key Takeaways:
- Proposed new guidance from the Science Based Target initiative requires deforestation-free supply chains by 2030.
- The move would align the standard with the E.U.’s incoming Regulation on Deforestation-free Products.
- Companies have until November 6 to weigh in on the proposal.
Companies have until November 6 to weigh in on changes to the Science Based Target initiative’s Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) Guidance. Proposed revisions include pushing back the final deadline for companies to eliminate deforestation to supply chains to 2030. Current guidelines have a December 2025 date, which stakeholders acknowledge companies will not be able to meet.
“To keep the standard relevant and used, we need to revisit the target year and figure out what to do to keep the momentum going,” said Martha Stevenson, a senior director on the forest team at the nonprofit WWF-US and a member of the expert group advising the initiative on the guidelines
“These deforestation commitments started in 2010; we would have loved to have had action much, much earlier than this,” she added. “No one’s happy about rolling these dates back.”
Stevenson, who led the creation of the first set of FLAG guidelines, said the 2025 deadline has proved unworkable because of international demand for the small group of commodities that drive deforestation — including beef, soy and palm oil — as well as domestic trade in forest countries for those products. Land speculation and ownership rights have also proved difficult to address.
Key commodities Trellis
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'Orangutans should not be used as symbol to attack palm sector'
TAIPING: Orangutan is often misguidedly used as a symbol in environmental campaigns to portray the palm oil industry as the main cause of deforestation, says Plantation and Commodities Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof.
Despite not rejecting the concern shown towards the plight of orangutans, he said the biased narrative surrounding it needs to be corrected.
"The orangutan should not be used as a tool to attack the palm sector. Instead, it stands as proof that a sustainable palm oil industry can be a strategic partner in protecting the environment,” he said in his speech during the World Orangutan Day 2025 celebrations at Pavilion Taiping Zoo and Night Safari today (Nov 1).
The chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) Board of Trustees said the celebration of World Orangutan Day is not merely a symbolic event, but a statement of Malaysia’s commitment to striking a balance between economic development and biodiversity conservation. The StarMY
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For the first time in 36 years, Samyang Foods has decided to release ramen using beef fat
For the first time in 36 years, Samyang Foods has decided to release ramen using '牛脂, beef oil'. In the history of ramen noodles in Korea, the "Woozi wave" is an event that once shook the existence of a company.
The fact that Samyang Foods, which suffered such a Uji wave, brought Uji back out does not just mean the product launch. It is read as a strong will to overcome the painful history of the past and a strong confidence in the brand with the current spicy stir-fried chicken noodles.
Samyang Foods will hold a presentation on the 3rd to announce the launch of "Samyang Ramen 1963," a Uji ramen. Woozi means cow oil at this time. In other words, it is 'Woozi Ramen' using Woozi as oil to fry the noodles of ramen.
Three major ramen companies, including Nongshim, Ottogi, and Samyang Foods, are currently making and selling only palm oil ramen. It is fried noodles with palm oil, a vegetable oil. Therefore, when Samyang Foods launches "Samyang Ramen 1963," it is expected to be the only Woozi Ramen in the industry.
Woozi Ramen basically boasts a savory flavor. This is because Woozi is rich in animal fat, so when heat is applied, it can create a unique flavor. Maeil Business
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