Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production for 2025 is projected to exceed last year’s output, with forecasts indicating that production could surpass 19.5 million tonnes, an increase from the 19.3 million tonnes expected in 2024. Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) chairman Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha revealed these projections, noting that the current estimates point to higher national CPO production supported by favorable prices.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Mohamad Helmy expressed that prices are currently higher than the previous year. Based on the present production and pricing trends, exports are also anticipated to increase. He made these remarks during a press conference following the launch of the International Conference on Oil Palm Protection (ICOPP).
The MPOB chairman highlighted that the final export data will be announced in January during the MPOB’s annual review and outlook conference once the complete data for the year is available. Despite various challenges facing the industry, Malaysia’s CPO production is expected to rise.
Mohamad Helmy pointed out that several ongoing challenges could impact the industry, including pests, diseases, weed infestations, declining soil health, and climate change. He emphasized that these issues, if unmanaged, could undermine progress and threaten long-term sustainability.
The primary concern is basal stem rot, caused by the fungus Ganoderma Boninense, along with leaf spot and other pathogens that continue to affect productivity. He also identified the bagworm as a critical pest, which can cause significant defoliation and yield losses if not controlled.
Basal stem rot and bagworm infestation are currently the most damaging threats to Malaysia’s oil palm sector. ICOPP, organized by MPOB and the International Society for Oil Palm Protection (ISOPP), is held this year alongside the MPOB International Palm Oil Congress and Exhibition (PIPOC) 2025. The press conference was also attended by MPOB director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir and Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) secretary-general Izzana Salleh.