Mumbai : The Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA), the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), and Solidaridad Network Asia Limited (SNAL) have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mumbai to build a stable, sustainable and inclusive palm oil supply chain in South Asia.
The agreement focuses on aligning national sustainability standards, boosting traceability, and strengthening smallholder participation, with India and neighbouring markets as key priorities.
APOA Chairman Atul Chaturvedi said the partnership would enhance collaboration between producers and consumers at a time when food security and price stability are pressing concerns.
The MoU outlines mutual recognition of frameworks such as ISPO, MSPO and IPOS, promotion of NDPE-compliant sourcing, and digital traceability pilots using Solidaridad’s SoliTrace tool. A Joint Working Group co-chaired by APOA and CPOPC will monitor progress.
CPOPC Secretary General Izzana Salleh called it a “collective commitment to responsible palm oil production and consumption,” while Dr. B.V. Mehta of SEA stressed the importance of awareness on palm oil’s role in affordability and nutrition. Solidaridad Asia’s Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay underlined that the collaboration would deliver benefits “from farmers to consumers.”
With over 1.5 billion consumers in South Asia depending on edible oils, the partnership aims to stabilise supplies, strengthen farmer incomes and ensure responsible production practices.
