By Domingo Dargbeh
The Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), on Thursday, January 29, commenced a two-day workshop.
The exercise is to validate the 2026 Oil Palm Regulation, a significant step to enhance the oil palm industry. The workshop, held in Monrovia, brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including government officials and industry leaders.
In the coming days, the participants will discuss the new regulatory framework.
Counselor Roosevelt Gould, LACRA Legal Consultant, presented an overview of the Oil Palm Regulation.
Gould spoke of the importance of quality control, and hygiene throughout the production and transportation process of the palm.
“Every product and how you transport it significantly matters.”
He said, containers used for palm oil must be cleaned and dedicated solely to the purpose to prevent contamination. The regulation mandates strict hygiene protocols for all handlers.
It aims to reinforce Liberia’s position in meeting international quality standards.
“Our goal is to ensure that every drop of palm oil produced is traceable from plantation to port.”
To facilitate compliance, LACRA is implementing a digital accessibility system that captures data from farms, buying stations, mills, and shipping points.
This approach allows for various chain of custody models, ensuring transparency and integrity in the oil palm supply chain.
“Trade transparency is vital,” Gould noted, highlighting LACRA’s commitment to prevent anti-competitive behaviors in the market.
Additionally, the new regulation introduces a national grading system for oil palm, which includes parameters such as free fatty acid content, moisture, and impurities.
“Inspections will be systematic and scientific, with every export consignment required to undergo testing at a certified laboratory before a quality certificate is issued.”
The workshop also addressed the critical role of smallholders in the oil palm sector, with LACRA recommitting to provide formal recognition and institutional support.