If you’ve ever had a chocolate bar, instant noodles, or your favorite skincare product, chances are palm oil was involved. It’s literally everywhere. But what’s not always talked about? The impact behind how that palm oil is made and the game changing efforts to make it sustainable. That’s where RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) comes in.
Since 2004, RSPO has been the watchdog and trailblazer of sustainability in the palm oil industry. With big names like WWF and Unilever in the mix, the mission has always been clear: clean up palm oil. We’re talking zero deforestation, fair labor, and eco-friendly production.
Over the past decade, they’ve been crushing it in Europe and the U.S. Over 16 million tons of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) are now on the global market, that’s around 20% of all palm oil worldwide. In the EU, over 90% of palm oil imports are RSPO certified. Not bad, right?
But now, RSPO is facing a new kind of challenge and opportunity. The Western market? Kinda saturated. So the next frontier? Asia.
Let’s get one thing straight: Asia isn’t just another market. It’s the biggest consumer of palm oil, hands down. Countries like China and India are chugging palm oil faster than any other region, but only a tiny fraction of it is sustainably sourced.
It’s not because they don’t care. It’s more about price sensitivity, lack of awareness, and different market dynamics. Unlike Europe, where eco-conscious consumers are willing to pay extra for sustainability, many Asian markets are still warming up to the idea, especially when palm oil is used in budget friendly staples like instant noodles and fried snacks.
So what’s RSPO cooking up?
Instead of pushing the “go green or go home” agenda, RSPO is focusing on education and collaboration. It’s about helping brands and producers see that sustainable palm oil isn’t just good for the planet, it’s smart business.
Case in point: Yili, one of China’s biggest dairy brands, started using RSPO-certified oil in its ice cream products. That’s a huge flex and sets a major example.
Smallholders (aka small-scale farmers) grow a big chunk of the world’s palm oil, but they often get left out of the sustainability conversation. RSPO is now investing more in smallholder certification schemes, including partnerships with national standards like Indonesia’s ISPO to make the transition smoother and more affordable.
One of the biggest barriers in Asia is the price premium on sustainable palm oil. RSPO knows it can’t expect local industries to pay European prices. So they’re working on credit systems and blended sourcing models to ease the cost burden while still raising sustainability standards.
RSPO isn’t trying to convert 100% of the world’s palm oil overnight. They’re not even chasing perfection. Their vibe? Be the gold standard a reliable, evolving model that companies and countries can turn to as they figure out how to balance growth and sustainability.
It’s not just about palm oil anymore. It’s about proving that sustainable trade is possible even in emerging markets with tight margins and fast-moving economies
In short, RSPO’s new strategy is all about:
As palm oil continues to fuel industries from food to cosmetics, RSPO’s pivot to Asia might just be the move that shifts the entire global sustainability game.
Because at the end of the day, saving the planet doesn’t have to be boring — and sustainable palm oil doesn’t have to be just for the West.
Curious about how your company can jump on the RSPO wave and stay ahead in the Asian market?
Let Foresta Consulting guide your sustainability journey — from certification strategies to real-world implementation that actually works.
Ready to make your palm oil truly sustainable? Let’s talk!
