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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia lost RM20 billion in revenue last year due to labour shortage in the palm oil sector, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He added that another 63,000 foreign workers are needed in the oil palm plantations to increase their production.
He also reiterated that Malaysia and Indonesia will hold discussions on the sanctions and trade barriers imposed by the European Union (EU) on palm oil products.
He said this at an event hosted by the Plantation and Commodities Ministry in Putrajaya.
Last year the EU had agreed that six commodity products, including palm oil, that are grown on land subjected to deforestation or forest degradation would be banned from entering the trade bloc’s market.
The two Southeast Asian nations are currently by far the top palm oil producers in the world, accounting for more than 80% of the global supply.
On January 19, Fadillah said Malaysia and Indonesia were expected to lead a joint mission overseas later this year in a bid to counter the ongoing lobby against palm oil by scores of foreign countries.
“One of my intentions of meeting with my counterpart is (to discuss) the joint mission between Malaysia and Indonesia, where we will travel to the EU and the rest of the world as one group.
“We can strategise and work together with Indonesia, and I believe we will be able to address any concerns and negative perceptions about our palm oil.” – The Vibes, January 26, 2023
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