Wilmar International : condemns dangerous publicity stunt by Greenpeace

News Release

Wilmar condemns dangerous publicity stunt by Greenpeace

Singapore/Kuala Lumpur, 19 November 2018 - Wilmar International Limited (Wilmar) is extremely disappointed that Greenpeace has chosen to continue its publicity-driven tactics instead of working constructively with the stakeholders of the oil palm industry, including Wilmar. Greenpeace's protest onboard a tanker off the coast of Spain enroute to Rotterdam on Saturday, 17 November 2018 is not only targeted at Wilmar but the entire oil palm industry. This action in international waters has not only endangered the crew, but also the protesters themselves.

The tanker is not owned by Wilmar and only part of its cargo belongs to Wilmar.

By calling palm oil "dirty", Greenpeace is ignoring the fact that no other agri-commodity has achieved more than palm oil in the progress and contributions to sustainability including mitigating deforestation. Greenpeace has also failed to recognise that oil palm is the most productive and versatile oil crop in the world, producing five times more oil per hectare per year than the next most productive oil crop, rapeseed, and up to 10 times more oil per hectare annually than soy1. Unfairly targeting the palm oil industry could result in more deforestation globally for other sources of vegetable oils. On the socio-economic front, palm oil has contributed to poverty alleviation in developing countries where it is grown through the creation of jobs and infrastructure such as schools and clinics for the rural communities.

Wilmar has repeatedly called on Greenpeace to work with the palm oil industry in seeking pragmatic solutions to the hard challenges still facing the industry. We have in the most transparent manner shared our action plans moving forward with Greenpeace. However, we continue to see Greenpeace employing bullying and scare tactics, whilst refusing to engage meaningfully with the oil palm industry. It is our intention to continue to strengthen our plans into executable actions that the industry can adopt. If its intention is genuinely to make palm oil sustainable, we urge Greenpeace to join and support the industry in taking real action and making a real difference.

As one of the major players, Wilmar will continue to be a frontrunner in sustainability and do its part in the industry's transformation, including for the more vulnerable growers. Greenpeace's destructive actions will unfortunately have the biggest impact on the smallholders who supply 40 percent of global palm oil. Often lacking in resources, smallholders face challenges in keeping up with sustainability standards. By campaigning against palm oil, Greenpeace's tactic is hurting the smallholders the most especially at this time when crude palm oil prices are at a global low.

We also urge the government of palm oil producing countries and all stakeholders involved to take collaborative actions collectively so that the palm oil industry can move forward towards a fully sustainable one.

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1https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Average-plant-oil-yield-showing-efficiency-comparison-among-different-major-oil-crops_fig2_325398464 - original source Oil World, 2013

ABOUT WILMAR'S SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMME

As a leading agribusiness group, Wilmar recognises we have a fundamental role to play in developing quality products required by the world while ensuring a responsible and sustainable manner of production. We adopt a holistic approach to sustainability that is fully integrated with our business model. Guided by the philosophy that our business must enhance stakeholder value while minimising our environmental footprint, our business practices are aligned with universally acceptable social and environmental standards. Wilmar'sNoDeforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation policy underpins our aspiration to make a positive impact and drive transformation across the palm oil industry.

For more information, go towww.wilmar-international.com/sustainability.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ravin Trapshah

Sustainability [e-mail]