13/07/2011 (Bernama) - Malaysia's palm oil exports will reach RM70 billion this year if the high crude palm oil (CPO) prices continue in the second half of the year, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

He said if the future prices could stay at an average of over RM3,000 per tonne, it was possible to achieve the target, thus surpassing last year's record of RM62.8 billion in exports.

"The futures prices are good up to June this year. So based on the expected production ... if the CPO prices stick to the trend (of above RM3,000 per tonne now), it is highly possible we can record such a number for exports," he told a media briefing after launching 'Edupalm', an awareness programme for secondary school students at SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin here today.

A report last month quoting Malaysian Palm Oil Board, said Malaysia, the second largest producer of palm oil, recorded RM30.49 billion in palm oil exports in the first five months of this year.

The report said palm oil futures prices then averaged RM3,300 per tonne, higher than last year's RM2,700.

Earlier, Dompok said the 'edupalm' programme was part of the efforts to educate Malaysians in secondary schools on palm oil industry.

"It also targets form five students who might not be aware of the huge demand for workers and to promote career opportunities in this industry," he said.

About 207 schools in Sabah and 198 schools in Sarawak will be involved in the programme, where a one-day lecture will be carried out in these schools.