Halal Development Corporation Berhad has lauded the proposal by Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani to incorporate Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Scheme (MSPO) compliance alongside Halal certification requirements for marketing of palm oil.
By including MSPO certification into the Halal certification process, Malaysia can demonstrate its commitment to both Islamic principles and ethical consumption.
HDC and the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council signed the Memorandum of Understanding in October 2023 outlining the co-operation and facilitate collaboration in the areas of cross-promotion, information exchange and exploring of opportunities to develop especially on sustainability related initiatives in both palm oil and halal industry.
“The synergies between Halal certification and MSPO represent a significant opportunity for the palm oil industry,” remarked Chairman of HDC, Khairul Azwan Harun. “We believe that by promoting sustainable practices in palm oil production, Malaysia can further enhance its position as a leading supplier of halal products worldwide.”
Despite minor fluctuations, the global demand for halal-certified palm oil derivatives and byproducts has exhibited remarkable resilience, maintaining a steady course amidst changing market dynamics. The export value for halal palm oil derivatives was RM2.79 billion out of total export of RM59.46 billion in 2022.
Countries such as India, China, Japan, Korea, and various European nations such as the Netherland are increasingly seeking halal-certified palm oil ingredients for a diverse range of products, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
“In our trade promotion efforts overseas, we have observed a substantial demand for halal-certified palm oil byproducts,” added Azwan. ” We anticipate this year and onwards to see trades in halal palm oil byproducts and derivatives to grow significantly.”
By aligning MSPO compliance with halal requirements, Malaysia can solidify its position as a global leader in sustainable palm oil production while catering to the growing demand for halal products across various markets.
