6th March, 2023
Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) Members Join together to Discuss the Way Forward
6th March, 2023. the second meeting of Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) was organised at Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting was organised with the objectives to discuss the role, aims
and objectives of alliance, as well as issues faced by the member countries, their
expectations from APOA and the way forward for the alliance. APOA is initiated by the apex
solvent extractors associations of India (SEA), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The
Alliance provides a coordinated platform for the palm oil consuming countries to unitedly
address common problems, interests and aspirations of the Asian palm oil sector
stakeholders. Asia being the key producer and consumer of palm oil, the alliance aims to
enable Asian countries towards shaping the global disclosure on sustainable palm oil.
The meeting was organised by Solidaridad and the Solvent Extractors Association of India
(SEA) and it was attended by the representatives of apex vegetable oil industry associations
from major Asian palm oil importing countries and some major industry stakeholders
including Godrej International etc.
The meeting started with introductory note about the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) by Mr.
Atul Chaturvedi, President – APOA. He shared that APOA is formed to empower several Asian
countries for whom palm oil is a source of affordable food and nutrition. The APOA is
expected to safeguard the economic and business interests of the palm-oil consuming
countries and create a level playing field for all fats and oils used in food, feed and
oleochemicals in Asia. It is planned that in coming year, the membership would be further
expanded to include other select companies or industry organisations operating in the
production and/or refining of palm oil in Asia.
Mr. Dorab Mistry, the director of Indian consumer goods company, Godrej International Ltd.
suggested to also invite Malaysian and Indonesian Palm oil stakeholders as they are
important part of the system. He said, “I am happy that this alliance is been formed and with
real friends of Palm oil naming India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Srilanka as these are
the countries among other Asian countries which not only consume 40 % of palm oil but also
don’t create hurdles for palm oil producing countries. He also added that key producers
Indonesia and Malaysia need to realise that Asian countries are their most trusted buyers
and that they make purchases without creating trouble for the industry.
The President of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, Mr.Ajay Jhunjhunwala said all
major producers tend to respond more to the demands from buyers in Europe rather than
pay attention to the needs of Asian purchasers. European Union accounts for less than 9%
of the global palm oil imports. Asian buyers share for around 40%, but producers try to
comply with EU’s demands and ignore Asian buyers. The Asian stakeholders over the last
two decades have followed different requirements of sustainable palm oil production and
trade shaped outside the continent. We hope that the APOA would strengthen the Asia’s role
in palm oil sustainability disclosures while safeguarding the economic and business interests
of Asian palm oil consuming countries
The Secretary General of APOA Dr. Suresh Motwnai said that APOA is a coordinated platform
of the palm oil consuming countries to unitedly address common problems, interests and
aspirations of the Asian palm oil sector stakeholders. This will help Asian countries to play a
decisive role in defining and implementing sustainable development of palm oil sector. He
added that soon the remaining Asian consuming countries i.e. Cambodia, Iran, Butan, Oman,
Dubai etc. would also join the alliance. The alliance would play a key role towards changing
the negative narrative about palm oil in the interest of Asian countries. He also shared that
aim of APOA is to facilitate cooperation amongst its members to secure an efficient,
economical and regular supply of sustainable palm oil adhering to national sustainability
standards, national laws and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Representatives of founding member countries from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
and Nepal also shared their views and issues faced at their country. Mr. Vikash Sharma,
Chairman-SEA IPOS council India, Dr. Rohan Fernando, President – Palm Oil Industry
Association of Sri Lanka & Mr. Rasheed Janmohmad, chairman of Pakistan Edible Oil Refinery
association-Pakistan presented the current scenario and status of Oil palm in their country.
All are aligned with the aims and goals of association and willing to work together. They all
have suggested the way forward of APOA towards safeguarding the economic and business
interests of the palm oil consuming countries and create a level playing field for all fats and
oils used in food, feed and oleochemicals in Asia.
In open house discussion representatives from different stakeholders shared their
expectations with APOA. Dr. B. V. Mehta, The Executive Director of SEA and the Secretary
general of APOA concluded the meeting with way forward and extended vote of thanks to all
members and stakeholders.
