Call for Proposals (CfP)
Study on the Contribution of Palm Oil to Global Food Security
1. Background
The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) is an intergovernmental organization mandated to promote sustainable palm oil development and to advance the collective interests of palm oil–producing countries. As global demand for affordable, nutritious, and reliable food supplies continues to rise, food security has emerged as a central policy concern at national, regional, and international levels.
Vegetable oils are a critical component of global food systems, contributing to caloric intake, nutrition, food processing, and price stability. Among them, palm oil plays a significant role due to its high productivity, year-round yield, versatility, and relative affordability. Palm oil is widely used as a staple cooking oil in many developing countries and as a key ingredient in global food manufacturing.
Despite its importance, the role of palm oil in ensuring global food security is often underrepresented and insufficiently articulated in policy debates. In this context, CPOPC invites proposals to undertake a comprehensive study that examines the contribution of palm oil to food security at the global level, supported by robust empirical analysis.
2. Objectives
In line with CPOPC’s objective on aligning research with advocacy needs, this study aims to generate findings that are scientifically robust and directly usable to support CPOPC’s advocacy and policy engagement on food security.
Specific objectives include:
1. Provision of valid and adequate data to analyze the role of palm oil in global food security, including its contribution to availability, accessibility, affordability, and stability of food supplies.
2. To assess the importance of palm oil in global and regional vegetable oil markets, particularly in meeting food demand in developing and food-importing countries.
3. To examine the implications of palm oil productivity, price dynamics, and supply reliability for global food security.
4. To employ quantitative (econometric modelling) to support the analysis of palm oil’s contribution to food security.
5. To generate evidence-based findings that can support CPOPC’s advocacy narratives and policy engagement with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders.
6. To translate research findings into clear, evidence-based messages that can support CPOPC’s advocacy in international policy forums.
3. Scope of Work
The selected consultant(s) or institution will be expected to undertake, at minimum, the following tasks:
• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant literature, policy documents, and data related to food security, vegetable oils, and global agricultural markets.
• Analyze global and regional data on vegetable oil production, consumption, trade, prices, and nutrition-related indicators.
• Examine palm oil’s role across key dimensions of global food security, including:
1. Availability and supply efficiency;
2. Affordability and price stability;
3. Accessibility for low- and middle-income consumers; and
• Develop and apply econometric or quantitative models to assess relationships between palm oil supply, prices, substitution with other oils, and food security outcomes.
• Identify potential food security implications of policy measures affecting palm oil production, trade, or consumption.
• Synthesize findings into a balanced, evidence-based narrative suitable for policy and advocacy use.
• When appropriate, undertake primary data collection such as focus group discussions, involving related sustainability indicators and SDGs are recommended to improve the scope and quality of this study.
4. Expected Deliverables
All deliverables must comply with CPOPC’s objective on aligning studies with advocacy needs and be designed for direct advocacy use.
The expected outputs of the study include:
1. An inception report outlining the study framework, methodology (including primary data collection where applicable), and work plan, with explicit reference to advocacy relevance.
2. A report presenting key findings, analysis, and preliminary conclusions.
3. A final report validated by CPOPC, incorporating feedback from the Secretariat and Scientific Committee.
4. A dedicated Key Advocacy Messages section (5–10 concise, evidence-based messages).
5. An Op-ed Article (1,000–1,500 words) focused on the relevance, implications, and policy significance of the study findings, to be published on the CPOPC website and, where possible, pitched to relevant regional or international media platforms.
6. Infographics highlighting a clear storyline or key message from the study, suitable for digital dissemination and social media.
7. Infographic presenting key findings in a simple, non-technical format, with emphasis on implications and recommendations, designed for broader common audience.
8. A Short Video translating key findings into a human-centered narrative, suitable for social media platforms and presentations.
All study outputs must be original and strictly comply with anti-plagiarism standards. The use of AI assistance and the similarity index shall not exceed 15% of the overall research, as tested by Turnitin software. The research team shall ensure proper referencing and citation of all sources and provide evidence of plagiarism screening together with the final report upon submission. Additionally, study outputs related to communication material will be developed in close coordination with CPOPC’s communication unit, to meet CPOPC standard quality.
5. Methodology
The proposed methodology should be clearly described in the proposal and may include, but is not limited to:
• Literature and policy review;
• Analysis of secondary quantitative datasets (global, regional, and national);
• Econometric or quantitative modelling, where suitable and justified;
• Sensitivity or scenario analysis to explore policy-relevant implications; and
• Clear explanation of assumptions, limitations, and robustness of results.
Applicants are encouraged to propose a methodology that is rigorous, transparent, and proportionate to the objectives of the study.
6. Duration
The expected duration of the assignment is no longer than 6 months from the date of contract signing.
7. Eligibility
This Call for Proposals is open to:
• Research institutions, universities, think tanks, or consulting firms; or
• Individual consultants with demonstrated expertise in agricultural economics, food security, trade, or related fields.
Applicants should demonstrate:
• Proven experience in food security or agricultural market analysis;
• Strong quantitative and analytical capacity, including econometric modelling where relevant;
• Familiarity with global agricultural and vegetable oil markets; and
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills in English.
8. Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested applicants are invited to submit a proposal following the attached format of proposal, that includes:
1. Institutional profile or curriculum vitae of the consultant(s)/ team of researchers;
2. Examples of relevant previous work or publications.
9. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
• Relevance and quality of the proposed analytical and modelling approach;
• Demonstrated expertise and experience of the applicant(s);
• Clarity, coherence, and feasibility of the work plan; and
• Cost-effectiveness of the proposed budget.
10. Submission Details
Proposals should be submitted electronically to:
info@cpopc.net cc. mdaulay@cpopc.net; anindya.astari@cpopc.net
with the subject title:
“Proposal – Study on the Contribution of Palm Oil to Global Food Security”
The deadline for submission is: 20 August 2026
Proposals should be submitted electronically to:
info@cpopc.net cc. mdaulay@cpopc.net; anindya.astari@cpopc.net
with the subject title:
“Proposal – Study on the Contribution of Palm Oil to Global Food Security”
The deadline for submission is: 20 August 2026