PALMOILMAGAZINE, MUMBAI — The landscape of Asia’s palm oil trade has entered a new chapter. During the SEA AGM & GlobOil India 2025, three major organizations — the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA), and the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) — officially signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement marks a significant step toward strengthening collaboration in trade, sustainability, innovation, and market development across the region’s palm oil value chain.
For India, palm oil is far more than a commodity — it is a pillar of national food security. With over 60 percent dependence on imports to meet domestic edible oil demand, palm oil plays a crucial role in maintaining supply stability. Indonesia, as India’s main supplier for more than a decade, remains a vital trade partner. In August 2025, India’s palm oil imports surged nearly 16 percent to 990,528 tons, the highest in the past year — underscoring the importance of deeper cooperation among SEA, APOA, and GAPKI.
SEA President Shri Sanjeev Asthana emphasized that the partnership will yield mutual benefits. “SEA welcomes this collaboration with GAPKI and APOA as a key step in deepening India’s ties with Indonesia and other Asian partners. This MoU not only secures India’s access to affordable, high-quality palm oil but also opens opportunities for technical cooperation that can enhance the stability of India’s edible oil sector,” he said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday (Sept 29, 2025).
Also Read:
APOA Chairman Atul Chaturvedi echoed this sentiment, calling the agreement a historic milestone for palm oil consumers across Asia. “Together with GAPKI and SEA, we aim to ensure supply security, strengthen regional collaboration, and raise consumer awareness. Our focus is to represent the voice of Asian consumers while promoting sustainability and inclusive growth,” he noted.
Dr. B.V. Mehta, SEA Executive Director and APOA Secretary-General, described the MoU as a collaborative breakthrough. “This initiative enhances India’s edible oil supply security and reaffirms our joint commitment to sustainability, transparency, and innovation within the palm oil value chain. By aligning efforts through SEA, GAPKI, and APOA, we are building a strong platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and market development that benefits the entire region,” he explained.
From Indonesia, GAPKI Chairman Eddy Martono highlighted the vital role of palm oil in the national economy. He underscored Indonesia’s ongoing efforts in ISPO certification, forest conservation, and responsible production practices. “India is one of Indonesia’s key export markets and strategic partners. Through this partnership, we are ready to meet consumer demand while advancing sustainability. This MoU also aims to raise public awareness about the positive contributions of the palm oil industry—from upstream to downstream,” Eddy said.
Six Key Agendas Over the Next Three Years
The three-year MoU outlines six major priorities:
- Facilitating stakeholder engagement through delegation exchanges and regular visits.
- Boosting trade promotion via exhibitions, conferences, and webinars.
- Enhancing information sharing and technical standards to improve industry efficiency.
- Implementing joint sustainability projects aligned with both Indian Palm Oil Sustainability (IPOS) and Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) frameworks.
- Raising consumer awareness to counter public misconceptions about palm oil.
- Policy advocacy with governments and regulators to reduce trade barriers.
In addition, GAPKI will support India’s palm oil industry through technical knowledge transfer, trade facilitation, and economic and nutritional awareness campaigns. SEA and APOA, on the other hand, will focus on market access expansion, industry networking, and inviting GAPKI’s participation in international conferences and seminars.
Also Read: European Commission Considers Postponing EUDR Amid IT Concerns
To ensure effective implementation, a Joint Working Group has been established. The body will develop annual work plans, set key performance indicators (KPIs), and issue progress reports regularly — ensuring each agenda is measurable and results-oriented.
Beyond a formal document, this MoU symbolizes a renewed spirit of regional collaboration. Amid growing global demand for food and stronger sustainability requirements, the partnership between SEA, APOA, and GAPKI sends a clear message: Asia is ready to take a leading role in securing global supply while promoting inclusive growth.
As the association leaders jointly affirmed, palm oil is more than a matter of trade — it is about building bridges across economies, environments, and societies. Through this strategic alliance, India, Indonesia, and their Asian partners are positioning themselves as key drivers in shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for the global palm oil industry. (P2)
