The World’s Most Consumed Edible Oil Is Facing a Supply Crunch
- Malaysian output may only recover in 2Q if migrants allowed in
- Market in ‘uncharted waters’ due to record prices, volatility
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Palm oil production in Malaysia is on course for its weakest showing in five years as planters grapple with the worst-ever labor shortage in the second-biggest grower, and the low yields are likely to last through March.
The country’s output may slide below 18 million tons this year, according to Nageeb Wahab, chief executive at the Malaysian Palm Oil Association, a growers’ group that represents 40% of palm plantations by area. That’s a drop of at least 6% from last year and the lowest annual volume since 2016.