The Edge Malaysia (03/11/2025) - KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3): The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the global body for sustainable palm oil, is making a strategic pivot to fast-growing consumer regions like China, Africa and the Middle East, to boost the global uptake of certified sustainable palm oil or CSPO.

Speaking at the Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025), RSPO chief executive officer Joseph D’Cruz said the organisation has identified these fast-growing regions as key targets for the broader adoption of CSPO, alongside mature markets such as Europe, North America and Japan.

“We will be refocusing our market capacity to better target these opportunities,” he said. “We are also building systems to engage more directly with our members, including designating key account managers for our largest membership groups.”

The RSPO’s efforts to expand market reach are tied to its need to uphold sustainability standards amid growing market uncertainty and evolving global trade regulations, such as the stringent European Union Deforestation Regulation, said D'Cruz.

The RSPO certification system, which upholds environmental and social standards across the palm oil supply chain, is recognised by major consumer goods companies and retailers worldwide as a benchmark for sustainable sourcing.

RSPO-certified palm oil currently accounts for about 20% of global production.

D’Cruz said the new market focus is part of a broader strategy to sustain growth, adding the organisation is also improving its internal structure to better support its growing, diverse base of members, which now totals more than 6,000 worldwide.

To enhance value for its global membership — spanning growers, traders, processors, manufacturers, retailers, non-governmental organisations and smallholders — RSPO is streamlining its membership and assurance and certification processes to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

“Our membership has grown significantly over the last few years, and we recognise the need to rethink how we deliver effective services and value for money to a diverse global base.

“We are integrating a stronger member service perspective across our key teams and will track member satisfaction more systematically to address areas where support can be improved,” D'Cruz said.

The RSPO is also working to strengthen its operational effectiveness as a global organisation. In the coming months, the group will review its business model to streamline operations, leverage digital capabilities and optimise staff resources, he added.

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