Details

Last Updated: 22 February 2022

Hits: 786

MEDIA STATEMENT

RISE IN CRUDE PALM OIL (CPO) PRICE TO RECORD HIGH BRINGS
HUGE PROFITS TO SMALLHOLDERS NATIONWIDE

1. For the first time in the history of the national palm oil industry, the price of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) hit an all-time-high of RM5,750 per tonnes for two consecutive days on Feb 3 & 4, bringing great news and huge profits to about 400,000 smallholders nationwide.

2. This increase is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), together with the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC) to help the rakyat through various initiatives and Government policies.

3. MPIC will continue to strive to expand the Malaysian palm oil market to overseas markets, especially in West Asia such as in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, given the increase in Malaysian palm oil exports to Turkey with a total 703,588 tonnes in 2021 and Saudi Arabia’s commitment to increase Malaysian palm oil imports to 500,000 tonnes which is estimated to reach RM1.5 billion in value, this year.

4. Recently, following my visit and the MPIC delegation to Saudi Arabia, several memorandums of understanding (MoU) were signed with several companies including the Savola Group, which is the largest importer and distributor of edible oil in Saudi Arabia.

5. In fact, MPIC entered into three areas of cooperation, including the construction of a storage tank terminal in Jeddah; making Saudi Arabia a hub for the reexporting of Malaysian palm oil; and a joint campaign to promote the benefits of Malaysian palm oil to their country and the world. I am confident the country's palm oil industry will continue to thrive in line with the ongoing efforts by this Ministry.

6. Although at this point, there are sanctions imposed by the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) on Malaysian palm oil, MPIC will continue to work hard to ensure the long-term interests of the palm oil industry are safeguarded and will continue assisting palm oil smallholders and other stakeholders.

7. Once again, I call upon all Malaysians to come together with the Ministry in an effort to address anti-palm oil propaganda by Western countries that is clearly aimed at bringing down our country’s palm oil industry. We need to make sure the country's palm oil industry continues to be one of the largest contributors to the national economy.

DATUK HAJAH ZURAIDA KAMARUDDIN
MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
5 FEBRUARI 2022

Details

Last Updated: 21 September 2022

Hits: 1597

MEDIA STATEMENT
MALAYSIAN PALM OIL PENETRATES NEW MARKETS, SIGNALS
GREATER GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE

1. Malaysian palm oil has been able to penetrate new global markets and this shows that the commodity has gained greater international acceptance amid the Ministry's intense “Global Movement to Champion the Goodness of Palm Oil” campaign.

2. At least three countries which had never imported Malaysian palm oil in the past, namely Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, have started purchasing the commodity in recent months.

3. I am pleased with the development, which came amid the Ministry of Plantations Industries and Commodities ’(MPIC) aggressive efforts to market our palm oil globally and to debunk Western myths and propaganda.

4. Between Jan and July this year, Estonia imported 2,501 tonnes of Malaysian palm oil worth RM20.22 million, the Czech Republic (95 tonnes worth RM0.88 million, and Hungary (853 tonnes worth RM6.73 million).

5. While the volume and value of the imports from these countries are not as those from our major importers like India and Turkiye, these inroads were significant developments. Having one foot in the door allows us to further grow the Malaysian palm oil market share there in the long-run.

6. We acknowledge that our ability to tap into these new markets were partly attributed to the war in Ukraine which had resulted in disruptions to the supply of sunflower and rapeseed oils, which were traditionally used in these countries. But I believe this is a good start and that the Malaysian palm oil will not only continue to have a presence in these markets but grow rapidly there even after the war is over.

7. MPIC is also targeting to export to more non-traditional countries, particularly in the EU, and also to expand our market share among our traditional palm oil importing nations.

8. This is done through:
i. Strengthening existing major export markets, particularly India, China, Pakistan, and the EU, as well as to promote palm oil products more aggressively to penetrate new markets such as in Africa and Central Asian regions;
ii. Enhance Research and Development (R&D) activities in the production of new products as well as add value to downstream commodity products and;
iii. Enhancing better market access through bilateral free trade agreement (FTA)negotiations as well as multilateral or regional consultations

9. Feedback from many new markets show that they are impressed with Malaysian palm oil because of its higher productivity, versatility in food and non-food sectors and availability throughout the year.

10.We will continue to leverage on these strengths. This indicates the success of our “Global Movement to Champion the Goodness of Palm Oil” campaign. Previously, many, particularly in the EU, did not know about the advantages of using Malaysian palm oil due to decades of sustained smear campaigns.

11.But now, many are much more receptive to using Malaysian palm oil due to greater awareness by the Ministry and its agencies, including during international trade missions which I had led. Such efforts will not end here and MPIC is committed to continue promoting our palm oil and enhance its competitiveness globally.

YB DATUK HAJAH ZURAIDA KAMARUDDIN
MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
14 SEPTEMBER 2022

Details

Last Updated: 18 May 2022

Hits: 424

PRESS STATEMENT
SPECIAL ROUNDTABLE SESSION WITH RAWALPINDI AND
ISLAMABAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY TO
STRENGTHEN MALAYSIAN COMMODITIES PRODUCTS EXPORT

1. The Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin, was on a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from30th March 2022 to 1st April 2022 to strengthen agricultural commodities trade relations between Malaysia and Pakistan. The Malaysian delegation also promoted the country’s primary agricultural commodities, namely palm oil, rubber, timber, pepper, cocoa, and kenaf.

2. Pakistan has been specially identified as one of the crucial countries to visit. Both countries share common values and culture, thus offering much room for expansion, especially in trade. Pakistan is also one of Malaysia’s largest trading partners in agri-commodities, and Malaysia has several joint-venture projects, particularly in the palm oil industry at Port Qasim. Malaysia values Pakistan’s support and friendship and believes more should be done to increase trade activities between the two countries.

3. The Ministry views this special roundtable session with Islamabad and the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce as a relevant avenue to disseminate the latest information about Malaysian commodities among the industry players. The Minister enticed the Chamber members to consider doing more business and joint ventures with Malaysia, particularly in developing downstream
products such as the oleo-chemical industry, natural rubber seismic bearing, rubberized road, timber doors, floor panels, and wooden doors, premium chocolate, and pepper. The Minister also invited Chamber members present to participate in the Malaysia International Agricommodity Expo and Summit (MIACES) held on 26th -28th July 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.

4. Before the meeting with the Islamabad and Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce, the Minister met with the Honourable Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser of Commerce and Investment to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the Honourable Ayub Afridi, Adviser of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, on two separate occasions to
discuss ways to expand Malaysia’s agri-commodity market share in Pakistan, possible collaboration in research and development for agricommodity sector and the possibility of recruiting Pakistan workers to work in Malaysian’s palm oil plantation.

5. Other than discussions with Pakistan’s ministers, Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin also met with Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council in Karachi and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between All Pakistan Timber Traders Association and Malaysia Timber council.

6. Pakistan has been an essential and strategic trade partner for Malaysian agricommodity products, with a total export value of RM3.31 billion in 2021. Malaysia's main agri-commodity exports to Pakistan are palm oil (RM2.92 billion), rubber (RM253.90 million), and timber products (RM82.44 million). The total export of Malaysian palm oil and palm oil products to Pakistan is
RM2.92 billion and 830,833 tonnage. This figure represents 88.3% of entire Malaysian agricommodities products exported to Pakistan.

YB DATUK HAJAH ZURAIDA KAMARUDDIN
MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
7 APRIL 2022

Details

Last Updated: 22 June 2022

Hits: 477

MEDIA STATEMENT
MINISTRY OFFERS TWO INCENTIVES TO THE PALM OIL SECTOR
TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALLHOLDERS'
INCOME SOURCES
_________________________________________________________

1. The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) is calling on eligible oil palm smallholders nationwide to apply for incentives under the Ministry to help supplement their incomes and grow their businesses.

2. The Ministry recently opened up applications for two incentives. They are the Oil Palm Integrated Farming Scheme (ITa) and the Agro Bank - MPOB Easy Financing Scheme. Under ITa, oil palm planters who plant pineapples are eligible for incentives of RM7,000 per ha, while those who grow bananas, watermelon, corn, and papayas receive RM3,000 per hectare.

3. This incentive aims to encourage farm owners to diversify their sources of income through cash crops and optimise the use of their land. This is in line with the government's policy on expanding oil palm cultivation areas, with a planting limit of not more than 6.5 million hectares. This intermittent planting can also improve the health of the ecosystem and soil fertility, thus increasing the yield of oil palm production. MPIC is confident that this incentive can also boost the production of food resources and stabilize food security in the country.

4. Those interested can get the application forms from any TUNAS MPOB offices nationwide. Application is opened only to those who own 6.5 hectare of oil palm plantations or less.

5. Under the Agro Bank - MPOB Easy Financing Schemes, smallholders can apply for loans to purchase oil palm seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides for their plantation. They can apply for loans worth RM2,500 per hectare up to RM16,250, with a repayment period of 24 months at a two percent interest rate. The loan is to give smallholders a leg-up in their business.

6. These incentives and facilities are part of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to uplift the living standards of smallholders as well as to balance the dynamics of flora and fauna to ensure environmental sustainability. The Ministry is committed to continuing to defend the plight of smallholders with operational modernisation offers to ensure the long-term sustainability of income sources.

YB DATUK HAJAH ZURAIDA KAMARUDDIN
MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES
10 JUNE 2022