Breaking News-RTRS-Labour woe may hit Malaysia palm output

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 3 (Reuters) - Malaysia, the world’s No. 2 palm oil producer, will miss its output target of 18.1 million tonnes because of a shortage of foreign labour even as yields recover, a top industry official said today.

Industry regulator Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Sabri Ahmad said Indonesian plantation workers make better pay at home as more palm oil estates start up there while employers in Malaysia have trouble hiring because of a stricter work-permit process.