Palm oil overtakes petroleum to become Sarawak’s leading export at RM14.3 bln in 2023
18/09/2025 (Dayak Daily), Kuching - Sarawak’s palm oil industry raked in RM14.3 billion in 2023, accounting for 10.9 percent of the State’s total exports and surpassing crude petroleum as the State’s leading export commodity.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datu Sirai Daha said the achievement demonstrates the sector’s critical role in driving the State’s economy while reinforcing Sarawak’s position as a global leader in sustainable palm oil production.
“The value of Sarawak’s palm oil exports last year reached RM14.3 billion, representing10.9 percent of the state’s total exports. In fact, it has now overtaken crude petroleum exports, which for decades dominated the State’s revenue,” he said when officiating the Sarawak Oil Palm Plantation Owners Association (SOPPOA) Government Engagement Forum at Imperial Hotel today.
He noted that the success was made possible through the continuous efforts of plantation companies, including the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA), and smallholders who not only boosted output but also spurred rural development.
Their initiatives have brought vital infrastructure such as roads, water supply, electricity, and telecommunications to previously remote areas.
“This industry is not merely an economic contributor but also a catalyst for rural transformation, significantly improving the living standards of local communities,” Datu Sirai added.
He stressed that the Sarawak government remains committed to supporting the sector to seize downstream opportunities, comply with international standards, and sustain its major contribution to Sarawak’s economy and development.
At the same time, he acknowledged the challenges posed by international market requirements, including the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure Sarawak’s palm oil industry remains competitive globally through sustainable practices and adherence to global benchmarks. — Dayak Daily