THE WHAT? Malaysia’s palm oil producers are set to lose up to MYR RM20 billion this year as a shortage of workers hits harvest, according to a report published by the South China Morning Post.

THE DETAILS Curbs on movement ushered in during the pandemic have led to a chronic shortage of foreign workers, the SCMP reports, and the sector is reliant on overseas labor.

THE WHY? Despite government promises to speed up visa approvals for farm workers, the industry has currently just a fifth of its pre-pandemic levels with 14,000 foreign workers cleared by the authorities. Consequently, palm oil output is set to drop for a third year.