Johari: Malaysia steps up palm oil push in India to counter 'propaganda'

Malaysia plans to intensify its campaign to promote palm oil in India, countering what Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani described as "propaganda" aimed at damaging the commodity's reputation and marketability. As the world's second-largest palm oil exporter after Indonesia, Malaysia will leverage its robust upstream and downstream industries to strengthen its presence in the Indian market.

Johari emphasized that Malaysia remains the second-largest palm oil exporter globally, with its production supported by a well-established plantation sector and a significant downstream industry producing higher-value palm-based products. He stated that Malaysia and Indonesia are the two dominant players in the global palm oil industry and that Malaysia would continue promoting palm oil in major markets like India while addressing the negative campaigns against the industry.

The criticism is substantial for Malaysia, as palm oil has become a focal point of international campaigns concerning deforestation, biodiversity, carbon emissions, and labor practices. Malaysia has refuted claims that its palm oil industry is inherently unsustainable, highlighting its Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) framework, which covers traceability, deforestation, environmental requirements, and labor practices.

The Malaysian palm oil industry contends that certain anti-palm oil campaigns generate negative perceptions that could impact the competitiveness and marketability of Malaysian palm oil. Johari stressed that the response should not be to withdraw from international markets but to enhance Malaysia's engagement with consumers and trading partners, providing greater clarity on the industry's production and sustainability practices.

This approach is crucial in India, where Malaysia aims to expand palm oil and other commodity exports as part of efforts to establish a more balanced trade relationship.