Malaysia does not see India’s ambitious push for self-reliance in edible oils through the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) as a threat but as a strategic opportunity. The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has welcomed the initiative as a forward-looking step to boost India’s edible oil security, while reaffirming the role of Malaysia, the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil, as a key and long-term supplier.

Despite India’s efforts to promote domestic oil palm cultivation, Malaysian palm oil continues to play a vital role in the Indian market, which sourced 3 million tonnes (mt) of palm oil from Malaysia in 2024. With palm oil accounting for 34.2 per cent of India’s total edible oil consumption, the Malaysian supply remains critical to sectors such as food processing, retail, and hospitality.

MPOC said given the long gestation period for domestic oil palm cultivation, India will continue to rely on imports in the near to medium term. “Rather than seeing NMEO-OP as competition, we view it as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation,” said Belvinder Sron, CEO of MPOC, in an email interview, adding that Malaysian palm oil’s affordability, quality, and stable supply continue to support India’s growth trajectory.