InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Palm oil is far more than an export commodity; it is a strategic and irreplaceable pillar of global food security and affordability. This was underscored by Izzana Salleh, Secretary General of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC).

Izzana noted that palm oil is the world’s most efficient and versatile vegetable oil, supplying nearly 42% of global vegetable oil demand while using less than 10% of the land allocated to oil crops worldwide.

“Palm oil plays an irreplaceable role in food security, energy transition, rural livelihoods, and the global bioeconomy,” she said in a statement quoted by InfoSAWIT on Sunday (21/12/2025).

Despite its efficiency, the palm oil sector continues to face challenges ranging from recurring misconceptions and market volatility to policy uncertainty. These pressures have intensified with the emergence of new regulations, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

CPOPC stressed the importance of fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory regulatory frameworks applied equally across all vegetable oils and producing countries. Disproportionate compliance burdens or trade restrictions targeting palm oil, Izzana warned, risk disrupting global supply chains and undermining food affordability.

As CPOPC enters its second decade, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation among producing countries, promoting science-based policymaking, and ensuring that no producing nation or smallholder is left behind.

Izzana expressed optimism about the future of palm oil, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation. She pointed to digital innovation, stronger national certification systems, and inclusive sustainability frameworks as pathways toward a fairer and more resilient global vegetable oil market. (T2)