KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and China share significant opportunities to deepen collaboration in value-added industries for palm oil, particularly as demand continues to grow for sustainable, performance-driven, and application-specific palm-based products.
In a Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) statement, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said palm oil today played an increasingly important role across multiple high-growth sectors, including food manufacturing, oleochemicals, specialty ingredients, personal care, home care, and emerging industrial applications.
"Palm oil is no longer viewed solely as a commodity export, but increasingly as a strategic industrial enabler that supports innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and high-value economic growth.
"Malaysia sees strong potential to further strengthen collaboration with China through downstream development, technology exchange, and the expansion of value-added palm-based industries,” she added.
Noraini said this in her keynote address at the Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF) China 2026, hosted by the MPOC in Shanghai recently.
The forum highlighted the expanding role of Malaysian palm oil as a high-value, sustainable industrial input, supporting innovation, downstream development, and long-term economic cooperation between both countries.
She said that stronger Malaysia-China cooperation in the palm oil sector would not only enhance bilateral trade performance but also support industrial innovation, resilient supply chains, and long-term sustainable development between both countries.
Noraini also reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment towards sustainable production practices through the mandatory Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme, which has been fully implemented across the national palm oil supply chain since 2020.
She noted that sustainability, traceability, and responsible production remain critical pillars in
strengthening global confidence towards Malaysian palm oil, particularly within evolving international market expectations.
China remains one of Malaysia’s most important palm oil markets and a key contributor to future industry growth, according to the statement.
"In 2025, Malaysia exported approximately 2.64 million tonnes of palm oil and palm-based products to China, generating export earnings valued at approximately RM10.9 billion,” it said.
It said MPOF China 2026 builds upon MPOC’s broader strategic engagement efforts in China.
"In November 2025, MPOC hosted 37 leading Chinese buyers in Malaysia to strengthen industry confidence through direct exposure to Malaysia’s plantations, refineries, downstream manufacturing facilities, and sustainability ecosystem.
"Through strategic platforms such as MPOF, Malaysia remains committed to strengthening commercial partnerships, expanding market opportunities, and reinforcing the role of Malaysian palm oil as a sustainable, high-value solution supporting the next phase of Malaysia-China industrial growth and economic cooperation,” it said. - Bernama
