Top palm oil producers Indonesia and Malaysia on Thursday criticized the European Union for backing a ban on the use of palm oil in bio-fuels, with a Malaysian minister calling the move a protectionist trade barrier and a form of « crop apartheid ». European lawmakers approved draft measures on Wednesday to reform the power market there and reduce energy consumption to meet more ambitious climate goals. The plan includes a ban on the use of palm oil in motor fuels from 2021.

Indonesia and Malaysia are the world’s top two palm oil producing countries, accounting for nearly 90 percent of global supply. A large portion of European palm oil imports are used to make « bio-fuels », giving the industry’s top two producers cause for concern as they fear overall demand will fall. « This vote is very disappointing. It’s a black day for free trade. You are discriminating against palm oil, » Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Mah Siew Keong told reporters at an industry conference.

By allowing other vegetable oils to be used in bio-fuels, the EU was discriminating against palm oil, he said. « The EU is practicing a form of crop apartheid, » Mah said … Palm oil exports are a key source of revenue for Malaysia. The European Union is its second-biggest market after India.

Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita told reporters in Jakarta there should be fair treatment for all vegetable oils, and that Indonesia had protested the EU’s « negative campaign » on palm oil on several occasions. The palm oil industry has come under fire in Europe over its impact on forest destruction and Southeast Asian producers have faced calls to meet higher sustainability standards.

Mah said Malaysia’s ambassadors in the 28 EU member countries will raise objections and that he will work closely with Indonesia to protect the interests of smallholders.

« The government will not tolerate the denigration of the palm oil industry and will ensure Malaysia gives a fitting response to those who harm the palm oil industry, » Mah said …

The Indonesian Palm Oil Association, or GAPKI, will work with the government to « lobby » against the « discriminatory » EU proposal, said Fadhil Hasan, a board member.

« We have to react firmly and clearly say that this is not a good policy. It doesn’t help strengthen trade and economic relations among (palm oil) producing countries and Europe, » Hasan said on the sidelines of the Kuala Lumpur conference.

The rules endorsed by the EU on Wednesday are not final. The European Parliament, the executive European Commission and EU national governments must now negotiate a final draft of the legislation and vote to approve it.

Industry analyst James Fry said the EU move, if finalized, would cause « turmoil » in the vegetable oil market in Europe.  « The practicalities are likely to be unpleasant for the EU. For palm oil, I won’t be surprised if the end result is very little change in the price, because the market will balance itself, » he said.

K.L. : REUTERS

En Malaise, l’indice de l’Huile de Palme a baissé la semaine dernière de 0,5 % à l’annonce de cette orientation du marché, marquant ainsi la préoccupation des investisseurs sur les prix…

N.B. : Dans le cadre des Accords de Paris sur le réchauffement climatique, le focus a été porté de manière claire sur ces deux pays qui détruisent depuis des années, et continuent à le faire, de la forêt primaire en faveur de toujours plus de plantations de palmiers à huile !