Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the trade-offs related to the production and consumption of palm oil in Myanmar from a sustainable diets perspective. We used an enhanced value chain analysis approach that included semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders; market analyses to assess edible oils in markets and focus groups as well as surveys with consumers to ascertain their perceptions and practices related to edible oils. Four settings in Myanmar (upper income urban; lower income urban; middle-income urban; lower income rural). Key stakeholders (n 12) from government, trade bodies and civil society organisations were included in the interviews. Women from each of the regions participated in four focus groups (n 32), and a convenience sample of male and female consumers participated in the surveys (n 362). We found mistrust of the oil sector overall. Poor production practices, leading to low yields, limit the economic viability of oil palm production in Myanmar and contribute to negative environmental (e.g. deforestation) and social outcomes (e.g. land conflicts). Consumers demonstrated low preferences for palm oil as compared with traditional oils from a taste, health and transparency perspective; however, they indicated that its relative low cost led to its purchase over other oils. The Burmese example suggests that there may be limited benefits, and significant costs, of investing in palm oil production in regions where there are coordinating disincentives from a sustainable diets perspective. However, if oil palm cultivation is to continue, there are opportunities to improve its economic viability and environmental sustainability.
Highlights
Our methodological approach was informed by a combination of several value chain analysis methods[32], with a particular emphasis on the value chains for nutrition framework developed by Gelli et al[33] for identifying, designing and evaluating interventions. It was conducted in four main steps: [1] analysing the macro-level food system context as it relates to edible oils in Myanmar; [2] characterising palm oil consumption patterns and identifying constraints to consuming alternative oils; [3] characterising the health, environmental and social properties of oil palm production and consumption and [4] identifying intervenable points in the value chain to strengthen the edible oil sector in an effort to support sustainable diets
Key informant interviewees described a lack of transparency, including as it relates to the availability of palm oil production statistics in the country, as well as traceability throughout edible oils supply chains, which makes it difficult for consumers to know what they are purchasing and the source
While our analysis suggests that diverting investment from palm oil to traditional oils in Myanmar may be warranted, we highlight how the palm oil sector could be strengthened given that it is expected that oil palm cultivation will expand to regions around the world with suboptimal climatic conditions[10]
Summary
Conceptual underpinning and methodological approach The conceptual underpinning of our approach centered on the various elements of sustainable diets. A combination of document analysis, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups with consumers and market and consumer surveys were conducted. The interview transcripts, focus group transcripts, detailed notes and documents were open-coded and organised based on key themes related to the incentives and disincentives for palm oil production and consumption throughout the steps of the value chain using NVivo (version 11.4.2). We triangulated these data from the quantitative data obtained from the consumer and market surveys. A P-value of < 0·05 was used to denote statistical significance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
