MALAYSIA OPTIMISTIC ON GLOBAL PALM OIL GROWTH IN 2026 – NORAINI

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia remains optimistic that 2026 will present further opportunities for growth within the global palm oil sector, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said.

She said these growth opportunities will be supported by closer international cooperation, improving trade conditions, and collective efforts to advance sustainability and resilience within the sector.

"As we move into 2026, collaboration across the value chain will also be essential. Producers, traders, policymakers and end-users must work together to navigate market volatility, regulatory developments and shifting demand patterns," she said during her keynote address at the 37th Palm and Lauric Oils Price Outlook Conference and Exhibition (POC) 2026, here today.

POC 2026 has attracted approximately 2,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, including producers, consumers, traders, policymakers and investors.

Organised by Bursa Malaysia, the conference highlights key discussions including supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical shifts, and structural trends influencing pricing and trade flows, as well as the evolving roles of biofuels, oleochemicals and technological innovations.

Also present were Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Fad’l Mohamed and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha. 

Furthermore, Noraini said sustainability remains a central pillar of Malaysia’s palm oil strategy.

She noted that throughout 2025, the industry strengthened efforts in certification, traceability and data readiness, reinforcing confidence among global buyers and consumers.

"As the extension of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation provides valuable additional time, it should not be viewed as a pause in expectations. The extension is an opportunity to strengthen readiness, implementation and inclusion across the supply chain," said Noraini.

To recap, 2025 marked a major milestone for Malaysia’s palm oil industry, with crude palm oil production reaching 20.28 million tonnes – the highest on record and surpassing 20 million metric tonnes for the first time.

Malaysia’s palm oil export performance also strengthened in 2025, with the total export value of palm oil and palm oil-based products rising to RM112.51 billion, compared with RM109.39 billion in 2024.

-- BERNAMA