Palm Oil Production in India

Why in News?

Recently, India has emerged as Malaysia's largest importer of germinated oil palm seeds, with demand surging as the country accelerates efforts to boost domestic palm oil production and reduce import dependency.

• Palm oil is currently the world’s most consumed vegetable oil.
• Top consumers - India, China, and the European Union (EU).
• Recent development - India imported 3.03 million tonnes of palm oil from Malaysia in 2024, representing 17.9% of Malaysia's total palm oil exports and making it the top destination for Malaysian palm oil.
• India’s aim – To rapidly expand palm oil cultivation to 1 million hectares by 2025-26 and achieve nearly 2.8 million tonnes of crude palm oil production by 2029-30 under National Mission on Edible Oils-Palm Scheme.

• Current Malaysian commercial seeds are suitable for cultivation in India with proper farming practices and adequate irrigation.
• Malaysia is promoting sustainably certified palm oil under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard and enhancing productivity through research and development
• MPOB has developed high-yield palm varieties through selective breeding capable of producing over 30 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per hectare annually.
• This is nearly double Malaysia’s national average yield of 15.47 to 16.73 tonnes per hectare recorded between 2020 and 2023.
• The improved varieties also have slower height growth, extending economic lifespan from 25 years to more than 30 years while facilitating harvest operations.
• Usages – Extensively used in the production of detergents, plastics, cosmetics, and biofuel.

Reference

The Hindu| India emerges as Malaysia's largest importer of germinating oil palm seeds