China likely to raise imports of Malaysia palm oil despite challenges, says Zuraida
The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) on 19th July said it remains optimistic that China will increase its palm oil imports despite the current global challenges.
种植业和商品部（MPIC）7 月 19 日表示，尽管当前面临全球挑战，但仍乐观地认为中国将增加棕榈油进口。
Its minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said China is expected to import an estimated volume of 4.8 million metric tonnes (MT) of palm oil globally in 2022 based on the assumption that the June-December 2022 import quantity is at par with the same period in 2021.
其部长拿督Zuraida Kamaruddin表示，假设 2022 年 6 月至 12 月的进口量与 2021 年同期持平，预计 2022 年中国将在全球进口 480 万吨棕榈油。
This is set against current global economic challenges such as the high-interest rate environment, inflationary pressure, and recessionary concerns.
这是针对当前全球经济挑战的，例如高利率环境、通胀压力和衰退担忧。
“China, which does not produce palm oil on its own, is currently the world’s second-largest market for the commodity after India.
“中国本身不生产棕榈油，目前是仅次于印度的全球第二大棕榈油市场。
“China also supports and accepts the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, which has enabled the palm oil industry in China to enhance its corporate image while fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities and realising China's National Green Policy.
“中国也支持和接受马来西亚可持续棕榈油（MSPO）认证，这使中国棕榈油行业在履行企业社会责任和实现中国国家绿色政策的同时，提升了企业形象。
“The MSPO helps portray the positive image of China's manufacturers in support of Malaysia's efforts to improve the living standards of oil palm smallholders, as well as complement the goals of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) towards socio-economic development of both countries,” she said in a statement.
“MSPO有助于塑造中国制造商的正面形象，以支持马来西亚努力提高油棕小农的生活水平，并补充中国一带一路倡议（BRI）对两国社会经济发展的目标， ”她在一份声明中说。
Zuraida’s explanation follows a recent statement by China's Foreign Affairs Minister and state councillor Wang Yi that the world’s second-largest economy is ready to import more palm oil, tropical fruits, and other agricultural products from Malaysia during his visit here.
在Zuraida的解释之前，中国外交部长兼国务委员王毅最近发表声明称，世界第二大经济体准备在访问马来西亚期间从马来西亚进口更多的棕榈油、热带水果和其他农产品。
She viewed this as a good piece of news given the uncertainties shrouding the international palm oil trade, as evident by plummeting crude palm oil prices to sub-RM4,000 per MT level after a spike to above RM8,000 per MT in March this year.
鉴于国际棕榈油贸易的不确定性，她认为这是一个好消息，今年 3 月毛棕榈油价格飙升至每吨 8,000 令吉以上后，原棕油价格暴跌至每吨 4,000 令吉以下。 .
In 2021, China accounted for 11% of total global palm oil imports and 12% of Malaysian palm oil exports. Last year, China imported 6.38 million MT of palm oil, from which Malaysia’s portion made up 1.67 million MT.
2021年，中国占全球棕榈油进口总量的11%，占马来西亚棕榈油出口总量的12%。去年，中国进口了 638 万吨棕榈油，其中马来西亚进口了 167 万吨。
For the five-month January to May 2022 period, the high vegetable oil prices have deterred buyers and traders in China from actively importing both palm oil and other edible oils, hence prompting palm oil imports to drop 58.3% year-on-year or 1.52 million MT to only 960,000 MT.
2022 年 1 月至 2022 年 5 月的五个月期间，高企的植物油价格阻碍了中国买家和贸易商积极进口棕榈油和其他食用油，导致棕榈油进口同比下降 58.3% 或 1.52百万公吨到只有 960,000 公吨。
Between January to June 2022, Malaysian palm oil exports to China stood at 565,842 MT, which is 175,640 MT or 31% lower compared to the same period of last year.
2022 年 1 月至 2022 年 6 月，马来西亚对中国的棕榈油出口量为 565,842 吨，比去年同期减少 175,640 吨或 31%。
Zuraida noted that in China, about 75% of its imported palm oil is consumed in the food sector, including catering, instant noodles, food processing, and bakery and confectionery sectors.
Zuraida 指出，在中国，约 75% 的进口棕榈油用于食品行业，包括餐饮、方便面、食品加工、烘焙和糖果行业。
“Palm products other than palm oil enjoy a good share in non-food sectors, notably within the oleo-chemicals industry,” she added.
她补充说：“棕榈油以外的棕榈产品在非食品领域占有很大份额，尤其是在油脂化工行业。”
However, Zuraida expects it is unlikely for China’s total palm oil imports in 2022 to come close to the volume recorded in the prior year.
然而，Zuraida预计，2022 年中国的棕榈油进口总量不太可能接近上一年的记录。