In the latest news that could shock and push prices of edible oil ever higher, Indonesia, the world's largest producer of palm oil, has announced an export ban amid a continuing cooking oil crisis in the country. Indonesia counts for more than half of global palm oil supply and the edible oil market is already facing severe shortages due to Ukraine conflict with very few replacements available.
In a surprise announcement Indonesia's President Joko Widodo made a video broadcast assuring locals that shortages will be arrested. Indonesia as witnessed street protests due to high prices of cooking oil.
India, the world's biggest buyer of edible oil, relies on top producer Indonesia for more than half of its palm oil imports. Costs of imported palm oil into India has escalated nearly 40% in just the last 3 months. Palm oil has been soaring as sunflower oil supplies have been limited as Ukraine accounts for 60% of the world's sunflower oil output.
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