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The MoU formalises this long-standing relationship, aligning industry expertise and policy priorities to ensure stable trade flows
Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) and the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (IPOA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the IVPA Conference in New Delhi. This agreement opens a new chapter of collaboration in the palm oil sector – a linchpin commodity for both nations – underpinned by growth, sustainability, and food security.
The MoU formalises this long-standing relationship, aligning industry expertise and policy priorities to ensure stable trade flows, advance climate-resilient practices, and secure affordable edible oil access for millions of Indian households.
“Today’s MoU signals our shared commitment to a future-ready, transparent palm oil supply chain that benefits consumers and producers alike. This partnership reaffirms the trust between our nations and underscores our shared vision for sustainability and prosperity,” said Sudhakar Desai, President, IVPA.
The three-year agreement outlines concrete areas of cooperation:
1. Technical Exchange and R&D: Joint research, technology transfer, and best-practice sharing to boost productivity while minimising environmental impact.
2. Sustainability Roadmap: Initiatives to promote certified sustainable palm oil, strengthen traceability, and include smallholder farmers.
3. Policy and Advocacy: Coordinated efforts to streamline regulations, support fair trade, and stabilise pricing mechanisms.
4. Food Security Measures: Collaborative planning to mitigate supply chain risks and support national edible oil missions in India.
5. Market Intelligence Sharing: Real-time exchange of trade, production, and pricing data to inform policy and industry decisions.
“This agreement reflects Indonesia’s commitment to co-creating sustainable and inclusive growth with India,” said Dr M Fadhil Hasan, Head of Foreign Affairs, IPOA. “We look forward to advancing India’s food security and climate goals through a reliable, responsibly sourced palm oil supply.”
At the conference, Dr Hasan added, “Palm oil is vital to Indonesia’s economy, and through ISPO certification, forest conservation measures, and responsible production, we aim to support India’s food security and climate goals. While challenges like smallholder compliance remain, this partnership will drive innovation and inclusive policies for a resilient supply chain.”
Eddy Martono, Chairman, IPOA, said, “The MoU between GAPKI and IVPA reflects our commitment to deeper collaboration and sustainable development in the vegetable oil sector. Indonesia and India share a strong trade relationship – in 2024, our bilateral trade reached $26 billion, including $20.3 billion in exports from Indonesia to India and $5.7 billion in imports from India, leading to a trade surplus of $14.6 billion in Indonesia’s favor. Palm oil and its derivatives alone accounted for $4.4 billion, highlighting its key role in our economic ties.”