Indonesia, Malaysia and EU pulled together in a working group to clarify issues related to the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) which increases traceability and due diligence requirements for importing palm oil and other products. At a kick-off meeting in Jakarta, “the working group agreed on a work plan covering topics such as small-scale operators, national certification systems and scientific data on deforestation”. At the same time a publication mentioned that in order to protect national interests and protect the interests of ‘smallholders’, the Indonesian Trade Minister received a direct mandate from the president to “launch an all-out fight against the EUDR until its revocation by the EU”. To be continued.

Soybean oil

After the WASDE report on August 11th showing a decline in bean acreage and yield (50.9 bpa vs 52.0 last month), markets drifted lower. In Chicago, beans lost nearly 26 cents in November, meal fell $12.30 in September, and soybean oil fell 126 points. While soybean production was reduced by 95M bushels, demand was also reduced by 26M bushels, causing ending stocks to drop to 245M bushels, the lowest since 2015/16.

The market had been overvalued for some time and the August rains led to much improved crop conditions in US this week similar to last year at this time. But there is also some negativity in the commodities sector due to the general deterioration of the economy; fears of inflation and recession are not yet over.

With Argentina expected to recover from this year’s drought and Brazil bound for another record crop (estimated at 165.9Mmt vs 157.3M this year by crop consultant Celeres) supplies will be enough to fulfill demand in the 2023/24 marketing year. Certainly, for beans and meal, but soybean oil could remain tight in light of the demand for production of biodiesel/HVO in the US.

Rapeseed oil

Rapeseed drifted lower to rebound later on weak Canadian production potential and Canada having sold an export parcel. The resumption of harvests in EU and favorable conditions for the first sowings of 2023 (after the harvest) capped the gains, as did the downward correction in the price of petroleum in the wake of pessimistic macroeconomics. But Matif rapeseed futures recovered all losses seen after the USDA report. 

In Canada, harvest will start with reduced production prospects due to the dry conditions of recent months and the Australian oilseed federation now estimated their 2023 crop at 5.59Mmt which is 30% below last year’s record. Both are too expensive for the EU market and according to the EU Commission, cumulative imports since July 1st, amounted to 249Kmt compared to 678Kmt in the same period last year. The strength and speed of new crop Ukrainian exports to EU are eagerly being watched, also by farmers holding on to their seed!

Oil is finding support from higher seed prices and the growth in palm oil exports.

Sunflower seed oil

Overall, there is a neutral to bearish bias on high stocks and excellent future supply prospects. Hence there was poor buying interest. Even though in some markets sun oil is replacing soybean oil, rapeseed oil and very expensive olive oil. Black Sea oil is clearly on a downtrend on very low demand. The N.W.-EU 6-ports market makes a premium over Black Sea oil but the new crop market structure is also in a carry, indicating burdensome stocks to carry. The 4th quarter showed crude sun oil prices below those of crude rapeseed oil.

Linseed oil

After fish oil and olive oil soaring to unprecedented levels, now also the prices of linseed and linseed oil have the potential to grow to unseen highs. After years of good and ample crops, prices of linseed dropped to levels too low to attract farmers to grow linseed. Today seed prices are going higher on perceived scarcity and on prospects of a 15% reduction in linseed production as farmers chose to grow better paying crops. In a weaker economy the demand for linseed oil from technical markets was subdued but because fish oil is so expensive and not available, buyers are purchasing linseed oil as a replacement source of omega-3 fatty acids. Unknown, old crop, stocks in China maymitigate the shortage a bit but China is far away.

USD, mineral oil and biofuels.

Despite weak economics, demand for petroleum may reach a record high in 2023, increasing with 2.2M barrels per day compared to last year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts a global average consumption of 103M barrels per day due to more summer air travel, increased oil consumption for power generation and increased Chinese petrochemical activity. This increase led to significant reductions in crude oil and product inventories with Saudi Arabia and its allies deliberately cutting production. The IEA expects a further depletion of global supplies leading to further price increases and fueling inflation. Despite global efforts to move away from fossil fuels, IEA data suggests petroleum consumption is stronger than ever. The ‘energy transition’ could have a more pronounced effect next year, thanks to higher fuel efficiency of vehicles and a greater acceptance of electric cars. We’ll see.

Biodiesel developments

In the July 2022 - June 2023 period, EU-27 imported about 20% less palm oil than during the previous 12 months; mainly due to a decreased palm oil use as feedstock for the production of biofuels. Member States have to phase out ‘palm oil biofuels’ from their national blending mandates or greenhouse gas reduction quotas by 2030 and Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium and Sweden have already excluded palm oil-based biofuels. It is expected that rapeseed oil will gain more importance as raw material alternative complying with the EU’s renewable energy directives.

The US has been importing more oils and fats, including animal fats, and exporting less oils and fats in order to keep up with the growing demand from the booming biofuel industry. Something to keep watching in the coming months.