Papua New Guinea Palm Oil Suppliers — RSPO Certified Bulk

Papua New Guinea's palm oil industry: sustainability credentials and production overview

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is sub-Saharan Africa's largest palm oil producer outside Southeast Asia — an important distinction for sustainability-focused buyers seeking diversified, certified origins beyond the dominant Malaysian and Indonesian supply base. PNG's palm oil sector is dominated by commercial plantations rather than smallholders, providing more concentrated, auditable supply chains. **Production overview:** - Annual crude palm oil production: approximately 600,000–750,000 tonnes - PNG ranks as the world's 4th or 5th largest palm oil exporter by volume in some years - Production concentrated in West New Britain Province (the dominant oil palm region), Milne Bay Province, New Ireland Province, and Gulf Province **Key plantation operators:** - New Britain Palm Oil Limited (NBPOL) — now part of Sime Darby Plantation (Malaysia). NBPOL was historically one of the world's most RSPO-compliant large-scale palm oil producers, operating extensive certified estates in West New Britain - Hargy Oil Palms — operating in West New Britain, certified RSPO - Various smaller plantation companies and outgrower schemes **RSPO certification:** PNG has one of the highest RSPO certification rates of any palm oil producing country — a significantly higher proportion of PNG production is RSPO-certified compared to Indonesia and Malaysia. NBPOL achieved RSPO Segregated certification, meaning physically traceable certified palm oil is available from PNG. This makes PNG an attractive origin for EU/UK buyers requiring RSPO Segregated (not just Mass Balance) certified palm oil. **Deforestation profile:** PNG has large areas of primary tropical forest — this means EUDR due diligence requirements for PNG-origin palm oil are significant, and buyers must verify plot-level geolocation data confirming deforestation-free production. NBPOL and certified operators have invested in traceability systems to support this documentation requirement.

Buying PNG palm oil: export logistics, quality, and commercial considerations

PNG palm oil exports via two primary ports: **Kimbe (West New Britain):** The main export terminal for NBPOL and Hargy Oil Palms productions — purpose-built palm oil storage and loading infrastructure. Primary origin for RSPO-certified PNG palm oil. **Lae (Morobe Province):** PNG's largest industrial port — handles general cargo including palm oil from other producing regions. **Standard PNG CPO quality (NBPOL/certified mill):** - Free Fatty Acids (FFA as palmitic): ≤5.0% - Moisture & Impurities: ≤0.25% - DOBI: ≥2.5 - Carotene: ≥500 ppm (indicating freshness and low oxidation) **Export documentation for PNG palm oil:** 1. Certificate of Analysis per lot 2. RSPO supply chain certificate (specifying SG or MB model) 3. RSPO transaction certificate per shipment (from RSPO PalmTrace) 4. Certificate of Origin (PNG Department of Commerce) 5. EUDR geolocation and due diligence documentation (required for EU import from Dec 2024) 6. Halal certificate: available from PNG-based Islamic certification bodies and from NBPOL certified facilities **Primary buyers of PNG palm oil:** - EU food manufacturers and refineries requiring RSPO Segregated certified palm oil - UK buyers with mandatory RSPO Segregated commitments (driven by retailer sustainability policies) - Japan and South Korea specialty food manufacturers - Oleochemical manufacturers requiring traceable lauric acid feedstock **Logistics:** PNG to EU Rotterdam/Hamburg: approximately 25–35 days. PNG to Japan/South Korea: 10–15 days. Typically exported in bulk tanker parcels (minimum 2,000–5,000 MT) or container loads (flexi-tanker or drums for smaller quantities). The distance and logistics costs from PNG to European markets are higher than from Malaysia/Indonesia, but the RSPO Segregated premium and supply chain simplification for EU buyers can justify the differential.

Frequently asked questions