This is following a dramatic plunge in CPO prices due to some miller not buying FFBs

by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic by TMR FILE 

THE government is urging palm oil millers that have halted their production to resume operations following a dramatic plunge in crude palm oil (CPO) prices.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said some millers were not buying fresh fruit bunches (FFBs), and this will not only disrupt the stock but also be detrimental to the small farmers.

“We have received reports from factories that millers are not buying FFBs and such things should not happen.

“We have discussed with the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and they will take action to call or refer to all manufacturers for advice,” he said after launching new technologies at the Transfer of Technology Webinar and Exhibition 2022 today.

Some palm oil millers in the country have temporarily halted production following a dramatic plunge in prices of the edible oil. 

Malaysian CPO prices have seen their biggest one-month decline in more than 13 years in June, tumbling 22% to RM4,922 yesterday from a high of RM6,632.

Wee said the government will continue to monitor and take steps to stabilise CPO prices.

“CPO is an industry that provides income to the country and the producers, especially smallholders,” he said.

At the same time, MPOB DG Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said his party would take legal action against the manufacturers if the matter persists this week.

“If this continues to happen, we will draft an action and if necessary, we will send letters to all the millers.  

“We will also liaise with integrated palm oil producers to help buy fresh fruit bunches,” he said.

The SawitSecure 2.0 Digital Management of Pests and Diseases of Oil Palm provides important information on pests and diseases of oil palm trees as well as provides guidelines for managing the most serious oil palm tree diseases in Malaysia, namely Ganoderma and bagworm diseases.

The Land Suitability Evaluation and Management for Oil Palm Plantations is a digital spatial database to identify suitable areas for the initial selection of plantation sites and as a guide for more systematic planning to the oil palm industry. 

This database provides benefits as it can improve the implementation and adaptation to Good Agricultural Practices, eliminate further land expansion or clearing and promote sustainable development of oil palm cultivation, and avoid new opening of oil palm plantations on peatland and encroachment on forest areas.

Meanwhile, the Determination of Total Chloride in Crude Palm Oil and Secondary Oils is a simple and reliable method for the detection and determination of total chloride content in crude palm oil and secondary oils. 

The method developed can help local and international food safety organisations to regulate the level of safe amount of chloride especially in the food industry.