Palm oil is one of the 17 major oils traded in the global edible oils and fats market. It has been consumed as food from as long as 5,000 years ago and today is found in one out of every ten food products worldwide. Its sibling oil, palm kernel oil, is extensively used in the oleochemical industry, which produces chemical feedstock for non-edible products such as cosmetics, toiletries, industrial cleaning agents and candles.

As one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil and its products, the Malaysian oil palm industry is the pride of the country. Over the past 50 years, the industry has grown by leaps and bounds to feed millions of people worldwide, provide political and economic stability to the nation and enhance social development. Quietly, the industry has not only improved the living standards of farmers, but also provided employment to more than half a million Malaysians.

Yet, this is not sufficiently appreciated in some quarters which consistently fail to give palm oil its due. To rectify this, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) present facts at a glance in this easy-to-read booklet. It is our hope that the comprehensive information will put to rest any lingering doubts about the many benefits of palm oil.