GOVT TO EXPAND CAPOC 2026, ENHANCE PALM OIL ACCESS TO GLOBAL MARKETS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The government will expand the financing scope of the Countering Anti-Palm Oil Campaigns (CAPOC) programme in 2026 to enhance market access and increase exports to priority international markets, said the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK).

Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that part of the allocation will be utilised for initiatives to enhance market access and for Malaysia’s participation in major international trade exhibitions, including Gulfood, Food Ingredients Europe (FI Europe), and Food Ingredients India (FI India).

“These efforts will strengthen Malaysia’s presence on high-impact platforms and support improved export performance,” he said during the Budget 2026 committee-level winding-up debate for KPC in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Chan said CAPOC’s primary focus is to improve global perceptions of Malaysian palm oil more effectively so that negative narratives do not weaken the country’s market position.

“This approach is not just about presenting facts but is designed to enhance and widen market access through narrative influence at the buyer level, among stakeholders, and across credible international media platforms,” he added.

Chan explained that this focus will be intensified next year through a market-access-driven strategy involving direct engagement with buyers and decision-makers, as well as the implementation of trade networking visits that specifically combine market-awareness objectives with export empowerment.

He said that although the narrative on palm oil in 2025 was more focused on public education, next year’s strategy has been strengthened through collaboration with high-impact global media to influence perceptions via platforms popular with consumers, industry players and international policymakers.

Responding to the use of a harvester known as “Lipan” by Sarawak Plantation Bhd by Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang), Chan said the Ministry, through the Malaysian Plantation and Commodities Institute (IMPAC) in cooperation with Sarawak Plantation, has trained 15 local youths to operate the machine.

He said the initiative prepares them to adopt new technology in the palm oil sector, which also has the potential to provide job opportunities with attractive wages, in addition to creating a conducive and safe working environment for the youth involved.

Chan also replied to Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN-Dungun) regarding the kenaf sector, stating that as of Oct 31, 2025, the total area planted with kenaf was 1,763.36 hectares, involving 735 smallholders and 12 entrepreneurs.

“The area planted for fibre production is 5,808.16 hectares, involving 426 smallholders and four entrepreneurs, while the area for seed production is 311.50 hectares, involving eight entrepreneurs.

“In addition, there are kenaf crops for animal feed production covering 643.70 hectares involving 201 smallholders,” he added.

-- BERNAMA