NUSA DUA, Bali \u2013 The palm oil industry is now reaching\u00a0 a critical point in dealing with the global regulatory pressures and negative perception on palm oil. It was stated by Adjunct Professor Pietro Paganini from John Cabot University, Rome, during a panel discussion on the second day of the 21st IPOC 2025 on Friday (14\/11\/2025) at BICC The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.<\/p>\n
In his presentation titled \u201cEUDR and Beyond: Navigating New Frontiers for Palm Oil\u201d, Paganini said that the biggest challenge facing the palm oil industry now is not productivity, but the problem of negative perception and trust. \u201cOil palm is the most productive and inclusive among all vegetable oils, but it has the worst reputation,\u201d Paganini said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the gap between facts and perceptions had made the palm oil often victimized as scapegoat, although the commodity plays a big role in eradicating poverty, fulfilling global need for nutrition, and efficiency in land use.<\/p>\n
Regarding the implementation of EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR), Paganini said the regulation stands as the beginning of new wave of global market standard.<\/p>\n
He said that instead of seeing the EUDR merely as an obstacle, the palm oil industries should take it as new arena of competition to establish trust and added values.<\/p>\n
\u201cZero deforestation and full traceability will become new standard of the global market. EUDR opens a global race to develop trust and innovations,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
He appreciated the application of trial period of 24 months, a transition period of one year for small and medium enterprises and smallholders, and the establishment of practical communities and steering committees as a form of realistic compromise to ensure a more inclusive implementation.<\/p>\n
Paganini said that technology should not be seen as cost burden, but as a strategic investment for competitiveness. \u201cTechnology is a new frontier for competitiveness and trust,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He mentioned the use of drone and satellite for monitoring and compliance, blockchain for transparency and traceability, and artifical intelligence (AI) for improving efficiency.<\/p>\n
According to Paganini, increasing productivity through replanting, agronomical innovations, and digitalization of landsites have become the main pillars of sustainability. \u201cThe highest the harvest, the lowest the pressures on lands. This is the real sustainability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said that the direction of industrial development should shift from land expansion to smart growth based on innovations.<\/p>\n
Countering Negative Narratives With Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Paganini highlighted the policy of anti-SAFA (Saturated Fat) and rampant claims of \u201cpalm oil-free\u201d, which he sees as misleading the consumers and could not resolve the problem of nutrition substantially.<\/p>\n \u201cThe claim of \u2018palm oil-free\u2019 is only a marketing shortcut. It only attacks one ingredient , not the real problem,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He also underlined the importance of communication based on data, more comprehensive nutrition literacy, and systematic efforts to clear up public misunderstandings.<\/p>\n At the end of his presentation, Paganini calls on producing countries and the palm oil industries to no longer take reactive stance, but leading role in global diplomacy of sustainability.<\/p>\n He emphasized the importance of developing new narratives that palm oil is not just commodity, but the agent of development, public welfare and innovations.<\/p>\n