The implementation of stricter regulations for palm oil, one of the food sector’s most essential commodities, will lead to major supply and cost implications in APAC and beyond, says the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).
Nestle has voiced support for the continued use of palm oil in the food and beverage sector amid intense debate surrounding the recently-enacted EU Deforestation Regulation, while also striving to guarantee its supply chain sustainability using advance...
The palm oil industry in Malaysia is calling for the European Union (EU) to provide more clarity over how it will define ‘high-risk’ countries under its recently-approved Deforestation Regulation, stressing that current scientific data has already demonstrated...
Government and industry representatives from the palm oil and rubber sectors in Malaysia have urged the European Union (EU) to withdraw ‘highly demeaning’ clauses within its controversial deforestation regulation, punctuating this with a 500-strong protest...
The age-old ideas that palm oil sustainability must involve complex certification processes and premium price points needs to be scrapped in order to truly achieve sustainable goals throughout the entire value chain, according to industry experts
ASEAN consumer confidence in regional trade relations with the European Union have plummeted on the back of the latter’s recently-passed deforestation law and its impacts on various food commodities, as major palm oil producing countries in the region...
Singapore-based agritech firm Singrow has launched what it claims is the world’s first climate-resilient strawberry variety developed by genomics technology, with wider applications in other crops and functional foods underway.
Major South East Asian palm oil producer countries are gearing up to retaliate against the European Union’s controversial deforestation regulation, with the situation rapidly devolving to the point that a trade war could be on the horizon.
FMCG food and beverage brands making popular consumer products need to step up and publicly support sustainable palm oil in order to make a real impact in the sector, according to leaders of the RSPO.
Food giant PepsiCo believes that the involvement of major food and beverage brands in palm oil sustainability initiatives is crucial to attract smallholder producers and make a bigger impact.
The Malaysian palm oil sector believes there is little prospect of seeing market growth in the coming year due to labour, economic and climate challenges.
EU-proposed due-diligence legislation has been criticised for triggering unintended consequences across the supply chain, which begs the question: will such a law actually promote climate smart food?
Palm oil producer nations have accused the European Union of deploying a ‘protectionist political ploy’ that will hit a raft of commodities in developing countries, amidst its highly controversial Deforestation Regulation being passed in parliament after...
Palm oil acceptance in the European Union (EU) is not impossible if the industry engages in proper marketing based on scientific facts, with changes already being seen in some countries, according to a panel of experts.
Indonesia-based palm oil heavyweight Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) has highlighted the importance of sparing no cost in implementing traceability technology, in order to achieve greater commercial gain further down the line.
Indonesia’s palm oil export ban announced earlier this month has left the door open for Malaysia to swoop in and expand its market share – but this will very much depend on contract timings and labour viability, say industry experts.
The palm oil industry is urging governments, food firms and consumers that have boycotted to reconsider their approach, claiming that sustainable palm oil is a credible alternative to oils such as sunflower oil, which is in short supply due to the Ukraine...
The palm oil sector will need to emphasise how its current sustainability and development strategies are also ‘future-oriented’ beyond standards and certifications if it is to successfully penetrate new markets in the Middle East.
The Malaysian palm oil sector is calling for the implementation of better branding and consumer communication strategies to increase its marketability, saying that providing high quality and sustainable products is not enough to achieve export recognition.
Food brands have been urged to show their support for national, government-backed, palm oil sustainable certification schemes in Malaysia and Indonesia, and overcome their short-term financial objections to secure long-term sustainability.
An Italian supply chain expert has slated the European Union for its ‘discriminatory’ policies against palm oil, highlighting the impossibility of finding an alternative for the commodity in the short term.
Vietnam, the Philippines, along with Middle Eastern and North African nations have been identified as key growth opportunities for the Malaysian palm oil sector, as it seeks to open up new export channels.
Sustainable palm oil production could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of commitments made at the COP26 summit – but experts who have been assessing the fine print say that the devil lies in the detail of implementation.
The palm oil industry in Malaysia is ramping up its efforts to improve labour standards after taking several hits to its reputation and business prospects over the poor handling of human rights issues.
Malaysia’s minister in charge of palm oil has promised to put up an ‘aggressive’ fight against pressures on the industry from foreign powers such as the EU and US when she goes to Brussels in March, in addition to promising local automation within five...
Palm oil industry experts have warned that the European Union’s (EU) latest proposed regulations on deforestation carry major risk of upsetting Indonesia amidst ongoing free-trade negotiations.
The palm oil sector needs to prioritise growth in South East Asian countries alongside its efforts to diversify export destinations, with one industry expert predicting that regional demand will boom in the near future.
Food ingredients giant Cargill has stressed the rising importance of sustainability claims, especially around palm oil, as it detailed how its latest investment in Malaysia can help manufacturers meet the latest consumer demands.
The Indonesian palm oil sector has urged the European Union to ensure that its final regulatory approach to imported commodities does not discriminate against palm oil, warning that efforts to replace it as an ingredient could lead to even ‘bigger problems’...
The Indian palm oil industry is concerned that palm oil demand in the country may dip and lose out to edible soft oils in the short term given the higher duties it is subject to after a recent levy revision by the local government.
The Malaysian palm oil industry has highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imaging as crucial technologies to be integrated into the sector to aid sustainability and secure the industry’s future.
Indonesia’s representative palm oil body GAPKI is concerned that it may not be able to produce enough of the commodity this year, given that added demand is expected as economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) is focusing on the Middle Eastern region as a potential major new export market for Malaysian palm oil, and believes that its trans-fat free properties as well as cost advantages can give it an edge over other edible...
The use of palm oil in the Asian food industry has become so vast and commonplace due to its versatile applications in just about every finished food sector that it will be near-impossible to find another edible oil offering all of palm oil’s functionalities,...
The new executive leadership team at the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) says Asian markets, and not just western countries as has been the norm, are increasingly demanding sustainability improvements in the sector.
The new leadership team at the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has revealed plans to increase industry engagement as well as diversify the country’s major export markets beyond China and India.
There is little chance of food manufacturers covering the costs of palm oil sustainability efforts, despite new research saying it would require just a 2% increase in prices, according to an industry expert.
Palm oil and sustainability disagreements have caused ASEAN-EU trade relations to sour even further over the past year with a potential trade war on the line, even as the UK has moved to soften its stance to cement better ASEAN relations post-Brexit.
Palm oil firm Musim Mas has achieved 100% traceability to its mills and is working on achieving the same for its plantations, but concedes that there are challenges when it comes to working with smallholders.
Consumers in the EU are ‘demanding sustainability’ when it comes to palm oil and related food products, according to an EU ambassador, fanning the flames of ongoing strife with palm oil producing countries in the ASEAN region.
China’s demand for palm oil has seen a rise which is expected to continue for some time after major competitor soybean took a hit to supply, demand and prices over the triple threats of COVID-19, the US-China trade war, and African Swine Fever (ASF).
Malaysian palm oil is expected to see a rise in demand from India and China this year as economies gradually open up and local stocks diminish, but the industry must improve logistics and digital reach to effectively capitalise, according to industry...
Experts have suggested that the palm oil industry and food firms manufacturing palm oil-containing products use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify the right consumer segments and methods to sway sentiment back in their favour.
The palm oil industry in Malaysia needs to prepare itself for an uncertain year ahead with expected price volatility, production decrease and policy changes in the west, with the government attempting to shift to more value-added products in hopes of...
Consumers are opting to buy ‘No Palm Oil’ labelled products in places where these are available due to the sense of ‘emotional protection’ this confers versus any real scientific knowledge, an expert panel has claimed whilst recommending better social...
Palm oil demand and consumption in the Chinese food sector is expected to see significant growth next year as the government clamps down on the use of genetically modified (GM) products which are especially common in the soybean area.
The palm oil industry in Malaysia needs to make direct and comprehensive engagement – beyond relying on diplomatic relations - with the United States to overcome the recent ban of FGV palm oil over forced labour accusations, according to a trade expert.
The uptake and demand for certified sustainable palm oil in major Asian markets is extremely low compared to available supply despite the demand for rigorous sustainability certification processes, and experts are urging local governments to take stricter...
The head of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has challenged Australian chocolate manufacturer Darrell Lea to explain its sustainability claims after the latter announced that it would be going totally palm oil-free.
The palm oil sector is demanding fair and equal treatment after years of being subjected to ‘unjust’ treatment and criticism, despite ‘doing more for sustainability’ compared to other edible oils in the industry.
