Malaysia palm oil production to meet forecast despite the monsoon, says SD Guthrie

SD Guthrie, one of the largest palm oil producers in the world, said that weather patterns had not affected harvesting.

During an interview at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board conference, Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad, the deputy managing director of the board said that rain has fallen in the morning and the evening. However, it hasn't affected the harvest.

Last week, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said that the northeast monsoon would continue until March 2026. This could lead to flooding in low-lying and riverside areas.

Mohd. Haris believes that production will go "as planned" without any disruption, and that the total production for this year will probably be close to MPOB's estimate of 19.5 millions metric tons.

According to the industry regulator, in October production increased by 11.02% on a monthly basis to reach 2.04 million tonnes, its highest level in over ten years. The industry regulator reported that the output could exceed 20 million metric tonnes for the first time by 2025.

Mohd. Haris, a Malaysian, said that he was still in talks with authorities about the future of the land confiscation which affects palm oil producers.

SD Guthrie said in August that less than 3% (of its total planted areas) in the country were affected. They also stressed that they had not broken any laws.

Around 3.7 million hectares (9.1 millions acres) of plantations were seized by Indonesian authorities after they allegedly found illegal plantations operating in designated forest areas.

Mohd. Haris will replace Mohamad. Helmy. Othman. Basha, who has resigned.

(source: Reuters)