Sustainable palm oil production in SA

Palm oil has been heavily criticised due to the unsustainable practices used in its cultivation. But this is beginning to change, says Jannie Myburgh, senior manager of trading oils procurement at SD Guthrie International SA. He spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee.

- Marinda Louw Coetzee

What does SD Guthrie International SA do?

It is part of a global company called SD Guthrie International, which is involved in the upstream (plantation) and downstream (bulk processing, refining and processing) production of palm oil.

We have branches in Malaysia, Indonesia and Europe, and supply sustainable palm oil to South African industries and retailers.

Our facility in Boksburg, Gauteng, focuses on the production of industrial ingredients, pastry fats, industrial margarines and specialised oils, and has been supplying palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) since 2012.

As a vertically integrated sustainable palm oil company, we take a multifaceted approach to promoting sustainable palm oil. We are actively involved in developing sustainability standards and practices and have been at the forefront of the adoption of RSPO certification in all of our upstream plantations and mills.

We also use our downstream refining assets to make sustainable palm oil available in all the markets we serve, including Africa.

Where does South Africa import most of its palm oil from?