KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's commodities ministry has proposed cutting an export tax on palm oil by as much as half to help fill a global edible oil shortage and grow the market share of the world's second-largest palm oil producer.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (pix) said in an interview today her ministry has proposed the cut to the finance ministry, which has set up a committee to look into the details, she said.
Malaysia could cut the tax, likely a temporary measure, to 4%-6% from the current 8%, Zuraida said.
A decision could be made as early as June, she said.
Malaysia is looking to boost its share of the edible oil market after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted sunflower oil shipments and Indonesia's move to ban palm oil exports further tightened global supplies.
“During these times of crisis, probably we can relax a little bit so that more palm oil can be exported,” Zuraida said.
The proposal also asked the finance ministry to expedite the tax cut for state-linked palm oil producer FGV Holdings – Malaysia’s largest – and companies with overseas oleochemical production, she said.
Malaysia will as well slow the implementation of its B30 biodiesel mandate, which requires a portion of the nation's biodiesel to be mixed with 30% of palm oil, to prioritise supply to global and domestic food industries, she said.
“We have to prioritise to give food to the world first,” Zuraida said.
Palm oil – used in everything from cakes to detergent – accounts for nearly 60% of global vegetable oil shipments and the absence of top producer Indonesia has roiled the market.
Zuraida told Reuters importing countries have asked Malaysia to reduce its export taxes.
“They feel it is too high because of the high costs across the supply chain, because of the price of edible oil,” she said.
Crude palm oil futures have surged about 35% so far this year to all-time highs, further worsening global food inflation.
The Food and Agriculture Organization has warned that food prices, which hit a record high in March, could rise by up to 20% as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, raising the risk of increased malnutrition.
Zuraida said buyers India, Iran and Bangladesh are proposing to barter agriculture products like rice, wheat, fruits and potatoes for Malaysian palm oil.
Malaysia’s production has been strained for more than two years due to a severe labour crunch following coronavirus border curbs that halted the entry of migrant workers.
With travel curbs now being eased, foreign workers will start arriving in mid-May, Zuraida told Reuters.
Malaysia's production and exports of palm oil are expected to rise 30% by the end of this year, amid increased demand after neighbouring Indonesia banned exports and following the re-entry of plantation workers from abroad, she said in a separate statement today.
She did not say how many workers were expected to be brought in.
“With the workers coming back, production levels will rise and Malaysia is on track to meet global demand,“ she said.
Zuraida said Malaysian growers and producers should “reap the benefit of the void” left by Indonesia, adding that a sharp price correction could take place in July when the export ban is expected to be lifted.