Malaysiaís palm oil production increased from 10.842 million tonnes in 2000 to 11.804 million tonnes in 2001, i.e. by about 8.9% (Table 1). This increase was brought about by expansion in the area entering maturity, as well as higher yields that boosted production, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. Favourable rainfall and the improvement in the oil extraction rate that increased from 18.86% in 2000 to 19.22% in 2001 also led to the increase in the countryís palm oil production.