Latest news with #BelvinderSron
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MPOC: RM122mil in trade deals unlocked in Philippines forum
KUALA LUMPUR: Business engagements at the Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF) Philippines 2025 have unlocked an estimated RM122 million in potential trade, reinforcing Malaysia's role as a major palm oil supplier in the Asean region. The two-day event, held in Manila from June 3 to 4 and hosted by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), brought together over 400 participants and featured targeted BizMatch sessions. In a statement, MPOC said that this year marked the first time the council co-organised the forum with the Malaysian Oleochemicals Manufacturers Group and the United Coconut Association of the Philippines, further strengthening regional ties in the oils and fats sector. These one-on-one meetings between 16 Malaysian palm oil suppliers and buyers from the Philippines resulted in 121 business discussions aimed at securing commercial deals. MPOC chief executive officer Belvinder Sron said the Philippines remains one of Malaysia's most important trade partners in the Asean region. "In 2024, the Philippines imported around 1.1 million tonnes of palm oil, with Malaysia supplying 61 per cent of its palm oil, solidifying its role as the top supplier," she said. She said that the strategy is focused on Asean, Africa, and the Middle East and has already yielded results, with exports to these regions growing by 24 per cent, from 6.0 million tonnes in 2020 to 7.5 million tonnes in 2024, marking a shift in Malaysia's export landscape. Belvinder expressed encouragement over the strong level of interest shown by Filipino buyers in the BizMatch outcomes. "BizMatch platform continues to be a powerful tool in creating real commercial opportunities for Malaysian exporters and helping buyers find reliable, high-quality suppliers committed to sustainability and value," Belvinder added. Malaysia's ambassador to the Philippines, Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, emphasised the importance of deepening bilateral trade. The forum included eight expert presentations on themes such as sustainability, downstream applications, nutrition, and global market outlooks. A key discussion panel, "Lauric Oils & Oleochemicals: Market Growth and Innovations", explored emerging trends in the Philippines, a growing market for lauric oils like palm kernel and coconut oil.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
EU: All countries subject to deforestation risk ratings
PETALING JAYA: The 'standard risk' status given to Malaysia under a deforestation law came about following an assessment all countries had gone through under a new benchmarking system, says the European Union to Malaysia. Responding to an outcry from Malaysia over the classification, the EU explained that its benchmarking system would rate countries either as low, standard or high risk, based on their risk of deforestation when producing seven commodities – namely cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood. The assessment of the countries was based on a methodology of combining two quantitative thresholds to distinguish low-risk countries from standard risk ones. These include an absolute threshold (below 70,000ha of annual forest loss) and a relative one (below 0.2% of annual forest loss of their total forest area). The EU said in statement that Malaysia, which exceeded one or both of these thresholds, had been classified as standard risk by looking at its overall deforestation and not deforestation linked to any of the seven commodities in particular. It has been reported that the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) wanted the European Commission to explain its benchmarking methodology used that led to the 'standard risk' label given to Malaysia under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). 'The 'standard risk' status for Malaysia does not recognise at all the progress and achievements made by the Malaysian palm oil industry in reducing deforestation and producing sustainable palm oil for European consumers,' MPOC chief executive officer Belvinder Sron said in a statement on Friday. He cited latest independent satellite data which showed that Malaysia's oil palm sector had transformed its environmental footprint for the better. On Saturday, MPOC chairman Datuk Carl Bek-Nielsen criticised the 'standard risk' classification, saying that it was unjust as it could lead to palm oil being excluded from the EU market despite the country's progress in curbing deforestation and raising sustainability standards in the oil palm sector. In its response yesterday, the European Union said that all countries went through the same process under the EUDR after a new benchmarking system (country classification) was adopted on May 22. It said that the system was landmark legislation that promotes the consumption of 'deforestation-free' products in the EU with the aim of reducing the impact on global deforestation and forest degradation.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MPOC to seek European Commission's clarification on ‘standard risk' status for Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) will request clarification from the European Commission (EC) on its full benchmarking methodology used in its assessment on the 'standard risk' status given to Malaysia under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). An announcement made by the EC on Thursday has confirmed reports that Malaysia was given a 'standard risk' status under the EUDR country benchmarking system, while other countries with meagre records on forest loss and degradation, including EU member states, were given 'low risk' status. MPOC CEO Belvinder Sron said the EC's decision discredits the whole country's benchmarking system as the EUDR should encourage genuine progress, especially from countries such as Malaysia that have already shown leadership in sustainable forest management 'We will request clarification from EC on its full benchmarking methodology used in its assessment. This will be our top priority. 'The 'standard risk' status for Malaysia does not recognise at all the progress and achievements made by the Malaysian palm oil industry in reducing deforestation and producing sustainable palm oil for European consumers,' she said in a statement today. Belvinder noted that Malaysia has consistently demonstrated a strong and measurable commitment to forest conservation, achieving a significant reduction in deforestation over the past ten years. She said the latest independent satellite data from Satelligence showed Malaysia's palm oil sector has transformed its environmental footprint for the better, and confirms its leadership in tackling deforestation, while even the older UN data used by the EU highlighted the country's strong performance 'Furthermore, Global Forest Watch provided transparent, accessible, and consistent data, showing that Malaysia retains far more primary forest than many historically industrialised nations, and we are doing better at preserving it. 'Between 2014 and 2023, Malaysia reduced primary forest loss by 65%, outpacing global peers. In 2024 alone, we achieved a further 13% reduction, marking the first time Malaysia has dropped out of the global Top 10 for tropical primary forest loss,' she said. – Bernama
The Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
MPOC seeks clarification on Malaysia's standard risk status
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) will request clarification from the European Commission (EC) on its full benchmarking methodology used in its assessment on the 'standard risk' status given to Malaysia under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The announcement made by the EC yesterday has confirmed reports that Malaysia was given a 'standard risk' status under the EUDR country benchmarking system, while other countries with meagre records on forest loss and degradation, including EU member states, were given 'low risk' status. MPOC chief executive officer Belvinder Sron said the EC's decision discredits the whole country benchmarking system as the EUDR should encourage genuine progress, especially from countries like Malaysia that have already shown leadership in sustainable forest management "We will request clarification from EC on its full benchmarking methodology used in its assessment. This will be our top priority. "The 'standard risk' status for Malaysia does not recognise at all the progress and achievements made by the Malaysian palm oil industry in reducing deforestation and producing sustainable palm oil for European consumers,' she said in a statement. Belvinder noted that Malaysia has consistently demonstrated a strong and measurable commitment to forest conservation, achieving a significant reduction in deforestation over the past ten years. She said the latest independent satellite data from Satelligence showed Malaysia's palm oil sector has transformed its environmental footprint for the better, and confirms its leadership in tackling deforestation, while even the older UN data used by the EU highlighted the country's strong performance "Furthermore, Global Forest Watch provided transparent, accessible, and consistent data, showing that Malaysia retains far more primary forest than many historically industrialised nations, and we are doing better at preserving it. "Between 2014 and 2023, Malaysia reduced primary forest loss by 65 per cent, outpacing global peers. In 2024 alone, we achieved a further 13 per cent reduction, marking the first time Malaysia has dropped out of the global Top 10 for tropical primary forest loss,' she said. Meanwhile, MPOC chairman Datuk Carl Bek-Nielsen said the Malaysian palm oil companies and smallholders have made significant strides to reduce primary forest loss and forest degradation. This is further exemplified through the mandatory implementation of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme since 2020, which has led to a substantial reduction of forest loss in Malaysia. "The EC knows that we have a far better record on this than some European states. And yet they have rewarded its own members with 'low risk' status. This apparent favouritism will inevitably cause resentment instead of building bridges for closer cooperation,' he added. - Bernama
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Johari Ghani's Kenya visit underscores focus to expand CPO exports to East Africa: MPOC
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains committed to strengthening bilateral trade with Kenya and enhancing sustainable palm oil trade ties with East Africa. Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani's recent official visit to Kenya underscored Malaysia's focus on expanding exports of high-quality, sustainable palm oil to the region. Kenya emerged as the largest importer of Malaysian palm oil in Sub-Saharan Africa. MPOC chief executive officer Belvinder Sron said Kenya serves as a gateway to a wider East African region. "With rising demand for edible oils, a dynamic manufacturing base, and improving logistics infrastructure, Kenya offers significant long-term opportunities for Malaysian palm oil. "Over the past five years, our exports to Kenya have more than doubled – from 520,758 tonnes in 2020 to 1.26 million tonnes in 2024 – reflecting Malaysia's position as a trusted supplier of high-quality, sustainable palm oil. "We are committed to working closely with our Kenyan partners to ensure stable supply and deeper market integration," she said in a statement. During the visit, Johari held a series of engagements with key Kenyan government officials and industry stakeholders. Highlight of the trip was the roundtable discussion with major players from Kenya's oils and fats sector chaired by the minister. Discussions during the roundtable focused on unlocking trade opportunities, addressing market access challenges, and enhancing Kenya's role as a central distribution hub for the region. It was highlighted that Malaysia is well-positioned to meet East Africa's demand of 3 to 4 million tonnes of palm oil annually, and that Kenya could develop into a key downstream processing hub for re-exports to markets such as the European Union. The delegation also visited the production facilities of two major Kenyan manufacturers – Golden Africa Kenya Ltd and BIDCO Africa. ""This visit by the minister sends a strong signal of Malaysia's continued commitment to supporting Kenya's economic growth. "We look forward to further strengthening cooperation with partners across the region," added Sron. She noted that MPOC's engagement in Africa has increased over the years through trade missions, promotional programmes, and buyer-seller networking sessions.
