Kargo minyak sawit ‘koktel’ boleh jejas pengeksport Malaysia, kata pemain industri

The palm oil industry in Malaysia has raised concerns over the potential dilution of local exports if imported palm oil is mixed with domestic oil before being exported again, according to industry players. R Jeyenderan stated that cargo carrying palm oil mixed with imported oil without clear origin information poses a risk of failing to meet European Union (EU) standards.

The EU's Free Breeding Forests Regulation (EUDR) requires palm oil entering its market to be traceable back to the plantation where it was produced. If foreign untraceable palm oil is mixed with Malaysian palm oil, the entire cargo may fail to meet EU requirements. This could negatively impact Malaysia's palm oil exports and the credibility of the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Scheme (MSPO), as the new regulation comes into effect.

Authorities need to verify shipping documents, including manifests and cargo bills, to confirm the origin of the palm oil. Laboratory-based tests should also be conducted on imported oil and mixed products to ensure the origin and composition of the final product can be accurately identified before export. Jeyenderan questioned whether palm oil is tested before the ship leaves Malaysian waters, given the lack of laboratory facilities or qualified chemists onboard.

The EU's Codex Alimentarius standards require the country of origin of food products to be declared, as failure to do so could mislead consumers. Recently, The Edge reported that palm oil imports are being mixed with local production in ratios of 75:25 or 80:20 before being re-exported. This concern was echoed by sources urging customs, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) to verify import records to substantiate the allegations.