Plantation and commodities minister Johari Ghani said the ongoing Israel-Iran crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have disrupted export shipments to certain zones.

“Malaysia currently exports goods worth RM186 billion annually to global markets, including palm oil, but part of these markets are now considered high-risk due to armed conflicts.

“As such, we are exploring new markets, namely, countries that have yet to purchase Malaysian palm oil or cooking oil. This is crucial to ensure that our export levels remain stable,” he said after a programme at the Mara polytechnic college here today.

Johari said Malaysia is currently trading with nearly 80 nations, with plans to expand its reach even further.

He urged plantation operators and smallholders to work closely with the government to ensure the resilience of the national commodities sector on the global stage.

“The European market is increasingly emphasising environmental sustainability and biodiversity-friendly practices in palm oil procurement.

“To enter their markets, we must prove that our plantations meet their standards in complying with sustainability principles and preserve biodiversity,” he said.

Johari said providing good service and meeting buyer requirements should be a priority to help turn new buyers into long-term customers.