By Shakir Husain
HYDERABAD, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is looking to grow exports of higher-value palm oil products to India as vegetable oil demand remains strong in the top importing country.
India imported more than 2.26 million tonnes of Malaysian palm oil, accounting for almost 18 per cent of Malaysia's total production, according to Malaysian official figures.
This represented an increase of 40 per cent compared with the volumes Malaysia exported to India during the same period in 2025, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said.
The minister, who is attending an industry conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, said Malaysia's strategy goes beyond increasing the volume of crude palm oil exports to its number one market.
"We also want to expand trade in higher-value products such as oleochemicals, specialty fats, food ingredients and personal-care products," Noraini told Bernama via an email.
Malaysia also sees opportunities for greater bilateral cooperation as part of India's efforts to boost oil palm cultivation under its National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm.
"Malaysia has more than a century of experience across the oil palm value chain, including in breeding, nursery management, plantation development, harvesting, milling and sustainable production. Malaysian companies are already sharing relevant expertise and supporting India's requirements through private-sector cooperation," Noraini said.
"Through the ministry and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), we are strengthening engagement with Indian manufacturers, refiners and industry associations. We are also continuing discussions with the Indian government to support a stable and predictable trading environment that benefits both countries," she said.
Malaysia has been a leading supplier of palm oil to India, which relies on imports to meet about two-thirds of its requirements.
India's vegetable oil imports, including soyoil and sunflower oil, this year until August were more than 11.2 million tonnes, according to industry data.
Malaysia's palm oil sector has performed well this year, and "production and exports are expected to remain broadly stable" for 2027, the minister said.
"Malaysia's palm oil industry has remained resilient. Production reached 12.6 million tonnes during the first eight months of 2026, and full-year production is projected at around 19.7 million tonnes," Noraini said.
"Exports also performed well, increasing by approximately 806,000 tonnes, or 8.4 per cent, during the same period. We expect full-year exports to reach around 16 million tonnes," she added.
Speaking about the challenges the edible oil trade faces due to ongoing wars and conflicts, the minister said costs have gone up and raised concerns for importers seeking to secure supplies reliably.
"Global geopolitical developments have increased freight, energy and insurance costs, disrupted some shipping routes, and contributed to greater price volatility in the edible oil market," Noraini said.
Importers, she said, not only have to consider price but also reliable access to shipping and the ability of suppliers to meet their requirements consistently.
"In this environment, Malaysia remains well-positioned as a reliable supplier of palm oil, supported by an established production base and a mature supply chain," the minister said.
-- BERNAMA