Labour weighs on planters’ earnings

Shortage of manpower dominates output and yields

PETALING JAYA: A prolonged labour crunch affecting yields in the estates, rising costs and hefty windfall tax payments could undermine the earnings of plantation companies as the first quarter results for the financial year 2022 (1Q22) rolls in.

This is despite planters enjoying an all-time record crude palm oil (CPO) average selling price (ASP) at RM6,300 per tonne in the first four months of this year compared with RM4,407 in 2021, said plantation analysts.