The Silicon Review ^Asia

A recent news report on India wanting to reduce palm oil imports from Malaysia has stirred up a lot of anxiety and tension among industry players, especially smallholders. Indian edible oil industry body, Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA) has issued an advisory to its members to refrain from importing palm oil from Malaysia. The trade commission board has advised its members to refrain from importing Palm oil from Malaysia. This development took place pertaining to strained relations between both countries.

Atul Chaturvedi, president, SEA stated that there will be no import of palm oil from Malaysia till clarity on the way forward emerges from the Government of India. He also added that the Malaysian government is trying to cool down this issue by offering to but larger quantity of sugar and buffalo meat from India.

The confusion prevailing is not desirable and it requires an immediate solution. It is not necessary to mention that India needs palm oil from both Malaysia and Indonesia and it may be prudent to depend on only one supplier or the importer. So the board of directors and members of SEA said that they would abide by whatever decision the Indian Government takes, and they hope that this crisis will be solved as soon as possible.