TIMELY replanting of ageing oil palm trees is essential to maintaining productivity and securing Malaysia’s palm oil export market, according to Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Johari emphasised that replanting is critical for both smallholders and large companies, warning that a delay in this process could severely impact future output and export volumes.
“If replanting is neglected, productivity will inevitably decline, and this will affect our ability to meet export demands,” he said, in response to a supplementary question from Pasir Salak MP Jamaludin Yahya.
Johari noted that major industry players such as Sime Darby, United Plantations and Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) have consistently reinvested in replanting efforts due to their financial capacity and reliance on large-scale exports.
“One of the reasons for their success is their strong financial standing, which allows them to regularly replant old trees. But when replanting is not done in accordance with the lifespan of the trees, productivity drops,” he explained.
Mature oil palm trees are capable of yielding up to 28 tonnes per hectare, depending on planting methods and care, Johari said.
However, he cautioned that delaying replanting beyond 25 to 27 years of a tree’s life could see yields plummet to just four or five tonnes per hectare.
“This is why replanting must be prioritised — otherwise, we risk undermining the long-term sustainability of the industry,” he added. - August 5, 2025
