UPDATE 2-Malaysia eyes greater sustainability in palm oil sector as EU law looms

* Green drive to boost Malaysian palm industry, minister says * Malaysia sees higher palm oil output, exports in 2025 * MPOB sees palm oil stocks at 1.6 million tons in 2025 (Recasts, adds minister's quotes in paragraph 6, quotes from MPOB in paragraphs 9-10, details throughout) By Ashley Tang KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Malaysia said on Tuesday it will encourage sustainability while maintaining the competitiveness of its palm oil industry ahead of the implementation of the European Union's anti-deforestation law at the end of this year. The EU last month approved a one-year delay to the landmark deforestation law, which bans the importation of palm oil, soy and other goods linked to the destruction of forests. The bill now takes effect from Dec. 30 this year. The law requires companies and traders selling soy, beef, coffee, palm oil and other products in the EU to provide proof their supply chains do not contribute to deforestation. Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's largest exporters of palm oil, have previously complained that the law and implementation rules are discriminatory. Malaysia's Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Chan Foong Hin said it was crucial for the country's palm oil industry to understand the impact of the EU law so that domestic practices could be adapted and market access maintained. "By aligning our operations with these standards, we bolster our market position and enhance competitiveness," Chan told an industry conference on Tuesday. Chan said the success of Malaysia's palm oil industry depended on the adoption of green initiatives, including advanced agriculture technologies, sustainable farming, and new production methods, to help protect the environment while creating new growth opportunities. Speaking at the same conference, Malaysian Palm Oil Board director-general Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said authorities would work with the local industry. "We are looking forward to a better outlook in 2025," Ahmad Parveez said. "The ministry and agencies will continuously collaborate closely to address environmental concerns while also promoting economic stability and social responsibility within the industry to foster a more sustainable and balanced future." He said Malaysian palm oil stocks are expected to fall to around 1.6 million metric tons this year, compared with 1.71 million tons in 2024. Production in the world's second-largest producer in 2025 should come in at 19.5 million tons, marginally higher than the 19.34 million tons in 2024. Palm oil exports are expected to be 17.3 million tons in 2025, up from 16.9 million tons in 2024, Ahmad Parveez added. He said crude palm oil futures FCPOc3 are seen trading in a range of 4,000 ringgit to 4,300 ringgit ($889.28 to $955.98) per metric ton this year, compared with last year's average closing price of 4,128 ringgit. ($1 = 4.4980 ringgit) (Reporting by Ashley Tang; Writing by Danial Azhar; Editing by Martin Petty, John Mair and Kate Mayberry) (([email protected]))