Inaugural Malaysian Palm Oil Scientific Series follows on 8 October to examine the science behind higher-value palm products

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 October 2026 – Malaysia is strengthening trade partnerships and exploring new markets for its palm oil industry, while advancing research to support new products and higher-value applications.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) is holding two programmes at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur on 7 and 8 October 2026:

• MPOF KL 2026 on 7 October, focusing on markets, trade, sustainability and partnerships, followed by MPOC BizMatch on 8 October.
• The inaugural Malaysian Palm Oil Scientific Series (MPOSS) 2026 on 8 October, focusing on science, nutrition and higher-value applications.

MPOF KL 2026: Expanding Markets and Trade

Held under the theme “Sustainable Growth in an Era of Geopolitical Realignment”, MPOF KL 2026 brings together policymakers, industry leaders, international buyers, traders and market experts to examine trade, sustainability, biofuel policy and the price outlook for palm oil.

Officiating MPOF KL 2026, YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Minister of Plantation and Commodities, highlighted the resilience of Malaysia’s palm oil sector amid global trade and logistics challenges. Malaysia produced 12.6 million tonnes of crude palm oil in the first eight months of 2026, while palm oil exports exceeded 10.4 million tonnes, up 8.2% compared with the same period in 2025.

“A broader range of markets can help our industry remain resilient. It also creates opportunities to introduce Malaysian palm oil products to new customers,” said Datuk Seri Noraini.

Malaysia’s palm oil industry remains strongly export-oriented, with more than 80% of production destined for international markets. In 2025, exports of Malaysian palm oil and palm-based products generated approximately USD28.1 billion in earnings. The industry contributed close to 3% of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product and supported the livelihoods of more than one million Malaysians across the value chain. Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification has been mandatory across the industry since January 2020.

YBhg. Dato’ Carl Bek-Nielsen, Chairman of MPOC, said MPOC’s market development strategy has increasingly focused on regions where long-term demand growth is strongest. He announced that MPOC has moved its Sub-Saharan Africa regional office from

Johannesburg to Nairobi, Kenya, and opened branch offices in Lagos, Nigeria, and Chennai, India.

“Even when the price works against you, relationships built patiently on the ground still carry real weight,” said Dato’ Carl.

In the first eight months of 2026, Malaysian palm oil exports to Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 10%, the Middle East and North Africa by 23%, South Asia by 11%, and the Americas by 15%, compared with the same period in 2025. These increases reflect continued growth across several key and emerging markets.

Trade Networking Visit and BizMatch: Buyers Meet Malaysian Suppliers

More than 100 international buyers from over 20 countries are taking part in MPOC’s Trade Networking Visit (TNV) programme in conjunction with MPOF KL 2026. The programme connects buyers from key and emerging markets with Malaysian suppliers and introduces them to Malaysian products and industry capabilities.

On 8 October, MPOC BizMatch will facilitate more than 400 scheduled one-to-one business meetings between international buyers and Malaysian suppliers. Participants will discuss sourcing requirements, identify potential suppliers, explore partnerships and develop new commercial opportunities for Malaysian palm oil and palm-based products.

MPOSS 2026: From Science to Higher-Value Applications

Also on 8 October, the inaugural MPOSS 2026 will explore how research on naturally occurring compounds in palm oil can support the development of food, nutrition and health-related products.

Held under the theme “From Plantation to Plate: Palm Bioactives in Health Innovation”, the programme will bring together researchers, nutrition experts, food scientists, regulatory specialists and industry practitioners. Discussions will cover compounds such as tocotrienols, carotenoids and phytosterols, including the scientific evidence, regulatory requirements and potential applications in nutrition and healthy ageing.

Ms. Belvinder Sron, Chief Executive Officer of MPOC, said market expansion and scientific development need to progress together.

“Market development and scientific development must move together. If we want to build demand, we must also build evidence. If we want to create new markets, we must create new applications. And if we want Malaysian palm oil to command greater value, we must continue investing in the science that makes that value possible,” she said.

Together, MPOF KL 2026 and MPOSS 2026 reflect MPOC’s approach to developing demand for Malaysian palm oil through market diversification, trade facilitation, science-led innovation and higher-value applications.