Floods devastate Malaysia’s palm oil harvest with worst output decline in 9 years

[MALAYSIA] Malaysia has witnessed its palm oil harvest suffer the worst decline in nearly a decade. The Southeast Asian nation, the second-largest producer of palm oil worldwide, has been hit by devastating floods that have wreaked havoc on the nation's harvests. As a result, output has dropped dramatically, with production levels falling the most since 2016.

Unprecedented Flooding in Key Palm Oil Growing Regions

The heavy rainfall and subsequent floods have affected key palm oil-growing regions, particularly the states of Sarawak and Sabah. These states are critical to Malaysia’s palm oil production, and the recent floods in these areas have led to severe disruptions in harvesting operations. According to Malaysia’s weather agency, the catastrophic floods have forced thousands of residents to evacuate, with the disaster claiming at least five lives.

The flooding has not only displaced communities but also submerged vast stretches of oil palm plantations, which has significantly impacted the yield of palm oil in the country. With harvesting activities severely delayed, Malaysia’s palm oil output saw a sharp decline. The country’s production dropped by nearly 17% in January, totaling just 1.24 million tons. This is the lowest output the nation has seen since April 2023, and it comes in stark contrast to earlier projections.

As the global market watches these developments unfold, it is becoming clear that the disruption of Malaysia’s palm oil production could have significant ripple effects on the edible oils market, which is already grappling with challenges from other key producers such as Indonesia.

The Decline in Palm Oil Output

The impact of the floods is clear in the latest data released by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). January’s palm oil output was a staggering 17% lower than the previous month, marking one of the steepest drops in recent years. Analysts had predicted a milder decrease, but the floods and subsequent delays in harvesting shattered these expectations.

The severe reduction in palm oil production is expected to strain global supplies, as Malaysia is a crucial supplier of the commodity. The drastic drop in output further exacerbates a supply shortage that has been building over the past year. With reduced production, Malaysia’s palm oil stockpiles also saw a notable decline. The stockpiles dropped by 7.6% in January, reaching 1.58 million tons. This decrease in inventory levels, combined with the reduced output, has already started to drive up the price of palm oil on global markets.

In fact, the price of palm oil has risen significantly in recent weeks, with a notable 5% increase recorded in Kuala Lumpur just last week. The upward price trend continued in early February, with palm oil prices climbing another 3.3% this year alone. The higher prices have been attributed to the shrinking supply from Malaysia, which is further tightening global palm oil availability.

A Premium Over Rival Oils

What is particularly striking about the recent price hikes is the fact that palm oil has been trading at a premium over its rivals, especially soybean oil. Typically, palm oil is considered the most affordable edible oil, owing to its year-round production cycle, unlike other oils that are subject to seasonal variations. However, palm oil has been commanding a premium over soybean oil since September 2024, a situation that is not common in the global oils market.

The reasons behind this price shift are complex, but the impact of reduced palm oil output in Malaysia and other palm oil-producing regions plays a significant role. Oil palm is also less land-intensive to grow compared to other oilseeds, which makes it a crucial crop in meeting global demand for edible oils. As such, the disruptions caused by the floods in Malaysia have left markets scrambling to adjust to the new realities of a tighter supply of palm oil.

Implications for Malaysia’s Palm Oil Export Market

The decline in palm oil production and stockpiles is expected to have a direct impact on Malaysia’s palm oil export market. In January 2025, exports of palm oil dropped by almost 13%, totaling 1.17 million tons. While this figure was slightly better than analysts’ predictions, it still reflects the growing pressure on Malaysia’s ability to meet its international commitments. Exports to key markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are likely to be affected by the reduced supply of palm oil, and the price increases could further complicate international trade dynamics.

The global edible oils market, already struggling with volatile prices, could face even more instability in the coming months if Malaysia’s production does not recover quickly. Given that Malaysia is a critical player in the palm oil industry, any disruption in its supply chain has widespread consequences for food manufacturers, cooking oil producers, and consumers around the world.

Quotes from Experts on the Impact of Flooding on Malaysia’s Palm Oil Industry

The impact of the floods on Malaysia’s palm oil harvest has not gone unnoticed by industry experts. According to a statement from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, “The floods have caused significant damage to palm oil plantations, especially in Sarawak and Sabah, where many plantations are still under water. The disruption in harvesting has been severe, and this will likely affect production levels for the rest of the year.”

A representative from the Malaysian Palm Oil Association also weighed in on the situation, stating, “The flooding is one of the worst we’ve seen in years, and it comes at a time when the palm oil industry was already facing challenges related to labor shortages and weather patterns. The combination of these factors is leading to a sharp decline in output, and it will take time for the industry to recover.”

Looking Ahead: Recovery and Market Adjustments

As Malaysia grapples with the aftermath of the floods, the question of how long it will take for the palm oil industry to recover remains uncertain. The extent of the damage to plantations and the delays in harvesting will likely have long-term effects on production levels. In the meantime, industry players are closely monitoring the situation to assess the full scope of the damage and make the necessary adjustments to production schedules.

Analysts have warned that the supply crunch could persist for months, with some speculating that palm oil prices may remain elevated as a result of reduced output. In the short term, the rise in palm oil prices could benefit producers, but the long-term effects of this disruption could have negative consequences for the broader global edible oils market.

The recent floods in Malaysia have caused unprecedented damage to the nation’s palm oil industry, leading to a significant decline in production and stockpiles. As a result, global palm oil prices have risen sharply, and the export market is feeling the effects of the reduced supply. While the situation remains fluid, the impact of this crisis on Malaysia’s palm oil sector cannot be overstated. With production likely to remain under pressure in the coming months, the future of Malaysia’s palm oil industry hangs in the balance, as stakeholders brace for a challenging road to recovery.