RSPO focuses on expanding palm oil partnerships in China, Africa, Middle East
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is set to expand efforts to strengthen sustainable palm oil partnerships in China, Africa, and the Middle East, regions showing rapid market growth and increasing demand for certified products.
“Building on the momentum we’ve seen in China, Africa, and the Middle East, we’re now focusing on deepening partnerships and strengthening market access in these fast-developing regions,” RSPO CEO Joseph D’Cruz said during the RSPO Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025) on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
D’Cruz emphasized that RSPO’s global market expansion is part of its strategy to maintain sustainability standards amid growing market uncertainty and evolving international trade regulations, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Currently, RSPO-certified palm oil accounts for around 20 percent of global production. The certification system ensures compliance with both environmental and social standards throughout the palm oil supply chain.
He added that developing new markets is essential to sustain long-term growth, particularly as global supply chains adapt to stricter sustainability requirements. RSPO, which now has 6,000 members worldwide, is also restructuring internally to better support its expanding and diverse membership base.
China has become a key player in the global sustainable palm oil landscape. As the world’s second-largest importer and third-largest consumer of palm oil, the Chinese market plays a crucial role in driving sustainable production in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as influencing global demand trends.
In 2024, China imported 4.36 million tons of palm oil and its derivatives − mostly from Indonesia and Malaysia − according to Chinese customs data. Palm oil is widely used in edible oil production, food processing, and oleochemical industry in China.
By the end of 2024, RSPO China had 445 members, including major companies such as COFCO, Yihai Kerry, Yili, Mengniu, Shanghai Jahwa, Perfect Diary, and Yum China. RSPO China’s 2023 report showed that certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) consumption in the Chinese market neared 500,000 tons, representing 8.7 percent of the country’s total palm oil consumption for the year.
This upward trend signals growing awareness and commitment among Chinese industries toward sustainability, positioning the region as a major growth frontier for RSPO’s global strategy.
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