16/10/2026
🌱 SUSTAINABLE OIL PALM MANAGEMENT SEMINAR (PALMS 2026) RECAP #8 🌱
A presentation by Mr. Choon Chun Hong, General Manager of Sabah Softwoods Hybrid Fertiliser Sdn Bhd (SSHFSB), on 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 & 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 highlighted how global geopolitical developments and fertilizer price trends may affect fertilizer supply, operational costs and oil palm plantation management. The presentation emphasized the importance of planning ahead and adopting integrated fertilizer strategies.
🔬 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
📌 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬
Rising operational costs, including diesel prices, polypropylene (PP) woven bags and sea freight from China to Sabah, increase the costs of fertilizer production, packaging and transportation. These factors place additional pressure on the oil palm industry and highlight the importance of effective cost management and procurement planning.
📌 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆
Global conflicts, particularly tensions involving Iran and the United States, can disrupt shipping routes and the supply of oil and fertilizer raw materials. China’s export policies and disruptions along key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, may also affect the availability and cost of important fertilizer inputs.
📌 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞
The presentation reviewed price trends for major fertiliser materials, including Urea, Ammonium Chloride (AC), Sulphate of Ammonia (SOA), Egyptian Rock Phosphate (ERP), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MOP) and Kieserite. The price charts indicated different trends across fertilizer materials, with SOA, Urea, AC, Soluble P and Kieserite showing upward movements towards the end of the year. These developments highlight the importance of monitoring market prices and planning fertilizer procurement carefully.
📌 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 2027
The presentation highlighted four key challenges to consider when planning future fertiliser strategies:
• Ganoderma disease: Maintaining palm health and supporting effective Ganoderma management.
• Soil fertility: Improving and maintaining soil health to support sustainable oil palm growth.
• El Niño: Preparing for potential weather-related stress and its impact on oil palm production.
• Rising fertilizer prices: Managing increasing input costs while optimising nutrient use and maintaining plantation productivity.
📌 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐢𝐨 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Mr. Choon introduced several bio-organic products, including K-Neutralizer Plus, GanoEF, Sawit Shield, MPOB F4 and F4 Shield. These solutions combine chemical nutrients, organic matter, trace elements, amino acids and beneficial Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) to support soil and crop management. They can form part of a broader strategy to improve soil conditions and support sustainable oil palm production.
Overall, the presentation emphasized that fertilizer management requires more than monitoring nutrient requirements. Understanding global market trends, anticipating geopolitical disruptions, managing rising operational costs and adopting integrated fertilizer strategies will be increasingly important for controlling costs and supporting the long-term sustainability of the oil palm industry.
