Indonesia and Malaysia, the world's top two palm oil producers, signed an agreement Saturday to set up a council for palm oil producing countries in a bid to ensure price stability by managing production and stock in the global market. Officials said the Jakarta-based council will be a body similar to that of Opec for oil producers.
Indonesian Resources Minister Rizal Ramli said the council will be a "game changer" for an industry under pressure from falling prices and unsustainable farming practices. The two countries account for 85 percent of the world's palm oil production, and the plunge in prices have hurt their economies. Rizal said the council will address impediments to trade to boost competitiveness in the world market, and promote green and sustainable farming. It will also aim to improve the livelihoods of more than 4 million oil palm smallholders in Indonesia and some 500,000 in Malaysia, he said. "It will be a game changer for the palm oil industry in many ways," Rizal said after a signing ceremony to establish the council. Malaysian Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Amar Douglas Unggah Embas said the council will not fix the price of palm oil, but will seek to ensure a sustainable price by organising and harmonising stock management. He said membership will be extended to other producers.