Palm oil’s complex land conflicts
- From
-
Published on
13.03.19
- Impact Area

In an ideal world, palm oil production would cause no deforestation, and have a transparent and fair supply chain. In reality, the impacts of the sector have been the cause of ethical concerns worldwide.
Palm oil is Indonesia’s most important commodity. In 2017 it produced 37.8 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) and exported over 80 percent of it, with a value of $31.8 billion. Not only is Indonesia the world’s biggest palm oil producer, it is its biggest exporter too.
The strong market demand of palm oil has led to a vast expansion of plantations. Currently smallholders make up around forty percent of the production market, and around a third of these don’t have the right land tenure permits. In some cases, the smallholders have moved into state owned forest areas. In many cases, the occupancy creates conflict.
Related news
-
IRRI identifies the first case of rice yellowing syndrome in the Philippines
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)21.05.25-
Food security
STA. CRUZ, LAGUNA (21 May 2025) – Scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)…
Read more -
-
The world is nowhere near the goal of zero hunger by 2030 amid uncertain global development financing. What now?
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)05.05.25-
Food security
By James Allen IV May 5, 2025 In the wake of a series of recent crises…
Read more -
-
From data to impact: IRRI’s digital vision at CGIAR Science Week 2025
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)28.04.25-
Food security
By Shalini Gakhar As climate pressures and food insecurity continue to challenge global agriculture,…
Read more -