In the interest of domestic demand . . .
Indonesia shocked already rattled international food markets last Friday when it announced a blanket ban on palm oil exports starting April 28. Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of palm oil, providing over half of the global supply. Palm oil is a crucial ingredient for the production of cooking oil, packaged foods, biofuels, and even cosmetics. Backtracking slightly, the government has since decided to exclude crude palm oil exports from the ban. However, refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oils, 30 to 40 per cent of Indonesia's total palm oil exports, remain affected. President Joko Widodo argued the ban is necessary to secure affordable prices at home, particularly during the current Ramadan month and upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which raises demand for cooking oil and other food staples in the predominantly Muslim country.
Global food prices are frying-high . . .
Indonesian prices for cooking oil have surged approximately 40 per cent since last year due to domestic shortages and inflated vegetable oil prices globally. The cooking oil shortfalls and high prices have fuelled student protests. The government alleges that corruption around palm oil export permits and the failure of some producers to fulfil their domestic market obligations have caused the cooking oil scarcity. Internationally, the ban will contribute to further inflation in the price of staple food products. Vegetable oil markets are already hard-hit by the Russian invasion of Ukraine – both vital producers of sunflower oil – and droughts in the Americas, including Canada, causing dismal harvests of soy, canola, and rapeseed crops.
Sizzling repercussions worldwide . . .
South Asian countries will be among the hardest hit by the ban. In India, the world's largest vegetable oil importer, palm oil prices have already risen by more than five per cent. Almost half of India's palm oil imports come from Indonesia. Similarly, Pakistan and Bangladesh are in dire straits since they import nearly 80 per cent of their palm oil from Indonesia. The ban has also pushed prices up for Malaysian palm oil, the world’s second-largest producer, and Malaysian producers may benefit as prices soar. The current edible oil crisis has highlighted vulnerable agricultural supply chains, with observers – many in India – calling for less reliance on imports to ensure domestic food security.
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