This Wednesday, June 12, Fedepalma held the National Congress of Oil Palm Growers in Bucaramanga, where Nicolás Pérez Marulanda, the president, explained challenges of the sector and economic and sustainable opportunities.
To begin, the director explained that Fedepalma’s exports have been greater than US$690 million and 30% have a sustainability standard, certifying small-scale palm growers.
This is the first sector with an independent monitoring system to ensure that palm crops are free of deforestation in Colombia.
73% of palm oil production was destined for the local market and the remaining 27% for exports. Brazil has gained importance and Europe continues to be an important market.
Regarding Colombian exports, Agriculture is in fifth place, with palm oil and its products accounting for 7% of the total. of these exports.
By June 2024 There are 7,552 registered palm oil producers in Colombiamainly located in the central and northwestern area of the country, so there was an increase of more than 50% in Fedepalma affiliations from 2022 to 2024.
During 2023, there were nine Federation dialogues with 1,350 palm growers in the country, that is, 20% of the total registered, to listen to their requests and needs, in turn promoting alliances at the local level so that oil palm continues to be an “engine of development in Colombia,” said Pérez.
Fedepalma’s concerns during 2024
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Illegal marketing: 10% of the total processed fruit is from maquila orderers, with a record of 8 criminal complaints to maquila orderers to carry out preventive operations and closures that do not affect palm growers in Colombia.
Since 2022, 2,800 illegal polygons have been built in the palm sector, which is why a better investment and extension model is being sought, as well as sustainable palm certification.
Asograsas joins Fedepalma’s call against the illegality of this sector.
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Insecurity in palm tree areas: By 2023 there were 2,152 criminal actions in this economic sector of the country, 70% of them in the central and western areas of the country.
For this reason, the Regional Security Forum will be held where actions and training for palm growers are sought so that secure networks are built and promoting communications with the authorities.
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Availability of labor: the labor market, according to the president of Fedepalma, is affected by the reduction in births in Colombia in recent years.
Well, the generational change is no longer attractive for young people, which is why there are no those who want employment in the palm oil sector and its sale locally and internationally.
Fedepalma has seven Regional Plan Projects with Magdalena, Cesar, Atlántico, among others, and 10 at the municipal level.
To date there are 310 palm farmers certified in sustainability, of which 70% are small-scale and 30% women.
Fedepalma is committed to reducing the presence of contaminants in oils, which is why plantations must have clean practices and thus improve access to international markets.
For the future, Fedepalma plans to prioritize understanding the effects of climate change. Well, 130,000 tons produced were lost for this reason.
Opportunities are to explore new markets for palm oil with advanced biofuels, animal feed, high oleic oil and the potential of the circular economy with 106,000 hectares planted.
On the other hand, Pérez seeks that palm growers have greater income and with audits by the General Accounting Office of the Nation there is recognition of transparent management of the sector’s resources, so that contracts are renewed with the Administration of Palm Parafiscal Funds.
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