Palm Oil Exports from Indonesia Could be Curtailed Yet Price Direction Remains Uncertain

January 6, 2023

1 mins read

 

Palm Oil Exports from Indonesia Could be Curtailed Yet Price Direction Remains Uncertain

Starting from 1st January 2023 Indonesia has changed its Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) to 1:6 from 1:8 meaning that a greater proportion of palm oil that would be exported will now find its way into the domestic market. Although this was expected by the market it may mean that inventories within Indonesia for export are lower than expected, which could lead to lower volumes available for sale. Besides, to the DMO near the end of 2022, Indonesia announced a move to B35 (35% palm oil biodiesel blend), an increase of 5% on the current 30% mandate to come into effect on 1 February 2023. The move to a B35 biodiesel blend will mean that around 120,000 metric tonnes per month, or 1.44 million metric tonnes per year, of palm oil supply, would be consumed domestically. Combined with the DMO, this could mean that Indonesia may have less palm oil to export. Since Indonesia is the largest producer, this could lower the palm oil supply and may increase prices in the coming month.

A trader commented to Mintec, “it shouldn’t come as a shock that the DMO has changed. Indonesia has been clear that it will move when market conditions move. Yet, what is more, surprising is that the B35 mandate finally has a start date as it has been up in the air for some time. These two factors combined are likely to sap supplies from Indonesia, but I don’t think prices are going to go up significantly. Any good trader should have had these priced in. We also have to consider the fact that the other vegetable oils are broadly cheaper now, and palm oil has more competition than it did a few months ago.”

Kyle Holland
Kyle Holland

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