The first palm oil mill in Malaya at Tennamarain Estate, Batang
Berjuntai, Selangor.
Oil palm was first planted commercially in Malaya
in 1917 by Frenchman Henri Fauconnier.
Derived from what was originally considered a decorative plant, palm oil
is today the highly versatile and valued commodity at the centre of
many industries. Malaysia is the world’s largest producer and exporter
of palm oil, accounting for 45 per cent of world output and 51 per cent
of world exports in 2005. In addition to its export in crude form, palm
oil—like rubber before it—has successfully generated numerous other
downstream activities, including processing, refining, research and
development and end-product manufacturing.
