KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said Malaysian palm oil exports to China will be increased by 3.4 million metric tonnes this year.
“We are building on last year’s agreements to strengthen agricultural and palm oil cooperation,” he said at the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah branch Lunar New Year Celebration 2024, here.
The celebration commemorated the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
“Currently, China is Malaysia’s second-largest palm oil export market. In 2023, Malaysia exported palm oil worth RM5.66 billion (1.47 million metric tonnes) to China,” he said.
China is an important market for downstream palm oil industries and palm oil products in Malaysia.
“My Ministry, through the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, has collaborated with several prominent Chinese food conglomerates such as Fujian Panpan Foods Group, Dali Foods Group and Grains Oils and Foods Co. Ltd, on various research and development initiatives for palm oil plantations,” he said.
He said this aims to increase the value-added of palm oil in downstream products, including food ingredients (such as Mala hot pot), oleochemicals and animal feed.
“I am also pleased to learn that Grand Industrial Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Grand Oils and Fats (Dongguan) Co. Ltd is the first facility outside of Malaysia and in the People’s Republic of China to be certified with Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Supply Chain Certification Standard (MSPO SCCS) since Oct 21, 2022,” he said.
He said these achievements reflect the close trade relations between Malaysia and China and the mutually beneficial cooperation established between the two countries.
He also noted that during his tenure as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security last year, he actively promoted the protocol for fresh durian exports to China to be materialised this year.
“This initiative seeks to bring fresh Malaysian durians, such as Musang King and Black Thorn, which are known for their high quality, to Chinese consumers allowing them to experience the authentic and delectable flavours of Malaysian durians,” he said.
He also said during the 45th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Agricultural and Forestry last October, he held bilateral talks with China’s General Administration of Customs on agricultural product quarantine, resulting in six agreements and strengthening cooperation in agricultural product trade between the two countries, including durians, bird nests and aquaculture products.
“Although I have moved to a different ministry, I am hopeful that all of these efforts commemorating the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations would be achieved one by one, boosting and cementing bilateral agricultural commerce and producing further economic gain,” he said.
He also hoped to see the friendship between Malaysia and China remain strong, to achieve a brighter future by making Malaysia-China exchanges and interactions more dynamic and wonderful.
https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/229329/3-4-million-more-tonnes-palm-oil-for-china-minister/
Sumber : Daily Express