MPOC Secures RM47.5m Potential Palm Oil Sales

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has strengthened Malaysia’s push into emerging markets following the successful conclusion of a trade networking visit involving 35 buyers from Central Asian Republics.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has strengthened Malaysia's push into emerging markets following the successful conclusion of a trade networking visit involving 35 buyers from Central Asian Republics.

The initiative underscores efforts to expand Malaysia's footprint in high-growth regions, particularly as demand continues to rise across food manufacturing industries such as confectionery, ice cream, bakery and margarine, where palm-based ingredients are increasingly used.

The visiting delegation comprised manufacturers from key segments such as confectionery, ice cream, bakery, and margarine as industries that are increasingly adopting palm-based solutions.

A key highlight of the programme was the BizMatch session, which facilitated 352 structured business meetings between 18 Malaysian suppliers and the visiting buyers.

The engagements generated an estimated RM47.5 million in potential sales, signalling robust commercial interest and strengthening Central Asia's position as a promising export market.

MPOC chief executive officer Belvinder Sron said the region presents strong growth opportunities, particularly in higher-value segments such as speciality fats and food manufacturing applications.

"The strong engagement observed during this visit reflects increasing confidence among buyers and the readiness of Malaysian suppliers to support this market," she added.

Additionally, the programme included visits to plantations to observe harvesting operations and tours of advanced bulking facilities in Johor Bahru as well as engagement sessions with industry players who offered insights into downstream capabilities.

The event also drew support from Uzbekistan's ambassador to Malaysia, Karomidin Gadoev, who engaged with both buyers and suppliers.

He noted that Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region present significant opportunities for Malaysian palm oil and encouraged Malaysian suppliers to establish a stronger presence in the region, including positioning stocks within Uzbekistan to enhance distribution efficiency.

He added that the government of Uzbekistan stands firmly in support of such initiatives through trade facilitation measures and infrastructure support.

MPOC also noted strong participation from Malaysian industry players, with suppliers showing keen interest in expanding into Central Asia through direct engagement and tailored product offerings.

The strong response from both buyers and suppliers underscores the potential for long-term collaboration, positioning Central Asia as an increasingly important market in Malaysia's broader export diversification strategy.

Source: www.nst.com.my