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Last Updated: 27 May 2024

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MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES, YB DATUK SERI JOHARI

ABDUL GHANI, WILL LEAD MALAYSIAN DELEGATION ON A WORKING

VISIT TO EGYPT AND TURKIYE AND TO OFFICIATE MALAYSIAN PALM

OIL FORUM

Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, is set to lead the Malaysian delegation to Egypt and Turkiye from 27 May to 1 June 2024 for a working visit and to officiate the Malaysian Palm Oil Forum Egypt 2024. This event, organized by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council and to be held in Cairo this year, aims to explore the growth potential of palm oil in the North African region. During the forum, YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani will deliver a keynote address and officially inaugurate the event on 28 May 2024. His speech will highlight the increasing global demand for cooking oil and its derivatives, as well as Malaysia's commitment to sustainable palm oil production. While in Cairo, the Minister will meet the Minister of Trade and Industry Egypt and the Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Egypt to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries as well as business leaders in palm oil industry.

MPOF 2024 will be followed by a working visit to Turkiye, where the Minister of Plantation and Commodities is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Trade Turkiye on 31 May. The objective is to strengthen collaboration and identify new business opportunities in the palm oil sector between Malaysia and Turkiye. Turkiye is an important destination for Malaysian palm oil exports, making this meeting particularly significant for Malaysia. During the visit, he will also engage with other relevant stakeholders, including business representatives from the palm oil industry, further intensifying business relations between the two nations.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Forum Egypt 2024 serves as a platform to showcase Malaysia's expertise in the palm oil industry and to explore opportunities for collaboration with North African countries. The working visit by the Minister of Plantation and Commodities seeks to highlight Malaysia's commitment to promoting sustainable palm oil production and strengthening economic ties with Egypt and Turkiye.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES  26^th May 2024

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Last Updated: 06 March 2024

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MEDIA STATEMENT

MALAYSIA SUCCEEDS IN WTO CASE AGAINST EU’S DELEGATED ACT

THAT  IS DEEMED DISCRIMINATORY TOWARDS MALAYSIAN PALM OIL

BIOFUELS

On 5^th March 2024 the WTO Panel issued its Final Report and concluded that the EU’s  Delegated Act that restricted palm oil biofuels, is indeed discriminatory.

This ruling from WTO demonstrates that Malaysia’s claims of discrimination are indeed justified. This vindicates Malaysia’s pursuit of justice for our biodiesel traders, companies and employees.

The WTO Final Report clearly finds fault with the EU’s use of indirect land use change (ILUC) to ban palm oil biofuels. It also finds fault with the EU’s approach to notifying and consulting with other economies when introducing new trade measures.

The EU has agreed to comply with the WTO ruling before it can impose restrictions in accepting Malaysia’s palm oil biofuels. The Malaysian Government will closely monitor the EU’s changes to its regulations to bring it in line with the WTO’s findings, and pursue compliance proceedings if necessary.

The Malaysian Government remains fully committed to defending the interests of palm oil biofuels industry players against trade barriers and discrimination.

YB DATUK SERI JOHARI ABDUL GHANI

MINISTER OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES  6^th March 2024

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Last Updated: 08 November 2023

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MPOB INTERNATIONAL PALM OIL CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION 2023 

(PIPOC 2023)

Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim officiated the MPOB International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition 2023 (PIPOC 2023), the world's largest palm oil congress and exhibition, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. Also present was the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof.

The oil palm sector contributed significantly to the Malaysian economy with export earnings of palm oil and palm-based products surging to RM137.89 billion in 2022 from RM108.52 billion in 2021. Malaysian palm oil accounted for 31% of the world's palm oil exports, totalling 51 million tonnes last year. These achievements are noteworthy, considering that oil palm in Malaysia is planted on only about 5.67 million hectares, representing less than 2% of the global land area of 300 million hectares under oilseed crops.

Palm oil's versatility makes it a crucial ingredient in various products, from cooking oil, margarine, baked goods, and snacks to processed foods. It is rich in phytonutrients and other beneficial components that can prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, slow ageing, and manage various non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions.

In recent years, the Malaysian oil palm industry has faced several challenges, including trade issues, false allegations, such as forced labour in oil palm plantations, trade barriers, and climate change, all of which impact the image and export of palm oil products. However, the Ministry remains optimistic that these issues will be appropriately addressed.

During the event, the Prime Minister also launched the Sawit Intelligent Management System (SIMS). SIMS is designed to facilitate transactional data management along the palm oil supply chain. It aims to promote self-regulation, reduce government oversight, provide user-friendly features, enhance security, and offer valuable decision-making insights. Developed by MPOB, SIMS enables comprehensive information management, enhancing industry efficiency and cost savings.

Another important highlight is the global recognition earned by the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification. It was one of the three certification schemes adopted for the Sustainable Sourcing Code for palm oil at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games. Furthermore, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics showcased MSPO through the exclusive supply of bread formulated by the Palm Oil Research and Technical Services Institute of MPOB (PORTSIM).

The three-day PIPOC 2023, which commenced yesterday, is hosted by MPOB. The event has attracted more than 100 distinguished speakers and approximately 2,000 participants from across the globe, creating a platform for the exchange of invaluable insights regarding current trends, challenges, opportunities, and the latest technologies within the oil palm industry. Under the overarching theme 'Navigating Uncertainties, Building Resilience,' PIPOC 2023 simultaneously hosts four concurrent conferences: the Agriculture, Biotechnology & Sustainability Conference; the Processing, Food Safety & Nutrition Conference; the Downstream & Value Addition Conference; and the Global Economics & Marketing Conference."

The congress also includes a trade exhibition featuring more than 400 booths showcasing cutting-edge industry developments, the latest technologies, state-of-the-art equipment, and various products. PIPOC 2023 is expected to bring substantial benefits to industry players along the palm oil supply chain, aligning with the Ministry's endeavour to elevate the industry's global status while concurrently addressing its current challenges.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

8^h NOVEMBER 2023

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Last Updated: 07 November 2023

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BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL PEPPER INDUSTRY

THROUGH A COLLECTIVE APPROACH

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities, YAB Dato' Sri

Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, today officiated the opening of the 51^st Annual Session and Meetings of International Pepper Community and International Spice Exhibition (51^st IPC ASM ISE), organized by the International Pepper Community (IPC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) and the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB) at the Pullman Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak.

IPC is an intergovernmental organisation, established in 1972 under the auspices of the

United Nations – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). 

The primary goals of the IPC are to promote and coordinate activities within the pepper industry with a view towards further development. Member countries of the IPC encompass India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, while Papua New Guinea and the Philippines have been designated as associate members.  

As of 2022, member countries of the IPC collectively accounted for approximately 65% of global pepper production. With the theme "Balancing the Global Pepper Supply and Demand – Alleviating Pressure on Prices", the 51st IPC ASM ISE focuses on the challenges faced by the global pepper market, most notably the imbalance between supply and demand, which has placed immense pressure on prices and pepper cultivation in various regions, causing an economic pressure on stakeholders in the pepper industry, especially small-scale pepper farmers whom had to contend with escalation in production costs and relatively low selling prices.

Malaysia was the fifth largest producer with 32,724 tonnes after Vietnam, Brazil, India and Indonesia as reported statistic in 2022. Today, there are approximately 38,587 pepper smallholders in Malaysia with a total pepper cultivation area of 8,091 hectares. 

Malaysia primarily exports pepper to countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. Up to August 2023, Malaysia recorded a total of RM96 million worth of export and will double up effort searching new markets such as in Scandinavian countries.     

It is pivotal for the IPC to continue monitoring the dynamics of pepper supply and demand, considering its direct influence on price levels. The pepper producing countries should devote concrete and concerted efforts to manage the supply, stabilising prices and increasing consumption. 

Moreover, it is essential to strengthen existing collaborative efforts among all parties to be consistent and aggressive in promoting and campaigns with the intention to enhance further pepper consumption, both domestically and internationally.

Exploring unconventional markets for pepper consumption can serve to broaden the pepper market, therefore creating vast opportunities towards the growth and sustainability of the global pepper industry.

MINISTRY OF PLANTATION AND COMMODITIES

7^th NOVEMBER 2023