Malaysian CPO production expected to decline in November due to harvesting delays and waterlogging in flood-affected regions
17/12/2025 (Oils & Fats International) - Crude palm oil (CPO) production in Malaysia is expected to record a slight month-on-month decline in November due to harvesting delays and waterlogging in flood-affected regions, according to a 9 December report by The Edge Malaysia quoting the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)’s director general.
However, Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said the recent flooding was unlikely to trigger major disruptions to national output as the impact was localised and occurred late in the month.
Despite above-average rainfall and increased flood risks in several East Coast states, Malaysia’s full-year CPO production target of 19.5M tonnes remained intact, he added.
“Malaysia typically sees a seasonal moderation in CPO output in November and December as oil palm trees enter their physiological rest phase,” he told The Edge.
“While flooding has caused short-term harvesting delays in certain estates, the national supply outlook remains manageable and the production trajectory for 2025 continues to grow.”
CPO stock levels were expected to rise above October 2025 levels, mainly due to slower exports during November, he added.
Dr Parveez said inventories were also likely to remain elevated in December as exports moderated seasonally while CPO production gradually recovered, depending on weather conditions”.
According to MPOB data, national palm oil stocks increased by 4.44% to 2.46M tonnes in October – the highest level since April 2019. CPO output climbed 11.02% month-on-month to 2.04M tonnes, the highest level since August 2015, while exports increased by 18.58% to 1.69M tonnes, marking the strongest growth in a year.
SD Guthrie, the world’s largest palm oil producer by planted area, said it had received reports of localised flooding across several operating units – particularly in parts of Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Pahang – which had caused temporary interruptions to harvesting, fresh fruit bunches (FFB) evacuation and general logistics.
“Mill operations remain largely stable, although we have implemented measures to ensure safety and continuity,” SD Guthrie’s management told The Edge.
“There were isolated cases of limited access due to high water levels and precautionary road closures, but no major incidents. The situation is being monitored closely.”
The company added that certain field activities had been rescheduled where conditions were unsafe, which was to be expected during the year-end monsoon period.
“It is still too early to provide a definitive assessment, but initial observations suggest the impact is manageable. Normal activities have already resumed in several areas, while others are progressing toward recovery.”
IOI Corp, which manages 94 estates and 15 mills, with plantations spread across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Kalimantan in Indonesia, also reported minimal disruption to harvesting at some of its estates due to flash floods.