Certification of sustainable palm oil as organised through the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil is based on a simplified understanding of the global palm oil value chain – according to which instructions about production practices can be directly translated from the palm oil mill to the primary producer. The reality of palm oil provision is much more complex than this as is shown in the case of Thailand. On the basis of qualitative field study in Southern Thailand this paper clarifies that intermediary stages, such as the collection of oil palm fruit bunches at the ramp, play a key role in the organisation of the chain. The fluidity and complexity of the palm oil flow at the local level complicates the promotion of sustainability through certification. Global and national stakeholders, such as processing and trading firms, non‐governmental organisations and national governments, should therefore open this black box of local dynamics to more effectively contribute to sustainability in palm oil supply.

中文翻译：

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突破黑匣子：坡道在泰国可持续棕榈油认证中的作用

通过“可持续棕榈油圆桌会议”组织的可持续棕榈油认证，是基于对全球棕榈油价值链的简化理解而来的-根据这种理解，有关生产实践的说明可以直接从棕榈油厂翻译成初级生产商。棕榈油供应的实际情况要比泰国情况复杂得多。在对泰国南部进行定性实地研究的基础上，本文阐明了中间阶段，例如在坡道上收集油棕果束，在链的组织中起着关键作用。棕榈油在地方一级的流动性和复杂性使通过认证促进可持续性变得复杂。全球和国家利益相关者，例如加工和贸易公司，