Malaysia to go on 'attack' to counter palm oil critics: minister

Commodities chief says strategy will look to Middle East, other markets

20220113 malaysia palm oil

A worker carries a palm oil fruit bunch at a plantation in Slim River, Malaysia, in August 2021. © Reuters

P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer

PUTRAJAYA -- Malaysia plans to adopt an "attacking and aggressive" approach to marketing its palm oil, the country's commodities minister said Thursday, as the world's most consumed edible oil comes under increased scrutiny and criticism in the West.

Zuraida Kamaruddin, who oversees Malaysia's plantation industries and commodities, told reporters a more assertive communications plan is needed to play up the positives of palm oil and push back against pressure groups in the U.S. and Europe, while targeting new markets.

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