Shipments from Bangkok have accelerated over 15 per cent this season, from a meagre 1.37 according to cent in 2019-20
In April 2022, Indonesia (one of the principal palm oil producers in the world) introduced a ban on the export of palm oil, which ended in a scarcity of fit to be eaten oils in the worldwide market. It additionally proved to be a turning point for Thailand, which until then become a minor supplier of crude palm oil (CPO) to India.

Thanks to the Indonesian ban, Thailand these days has emerged as an crucial supplier of CPO to India. Another reason for India to growth imports is that Bangkok does now not levy export responsibility on palm oil exports in contrast to Indonesia and Malaysia.

Though Indonesia and Malaysia remain main palm oil suppliers to India, Thailand’s share has risen to 11.Sixty five according to cent at some stage in the oil year 2021-22 (November to October), from 1.37 according to cent in 2019-20 . Thailand’s proportion has multiplied to fifteen.24 per cent within the first six months of the oil 12 months 2022-23.

Also examine: India cuts import tax on delicate palm oil to 12.5% to calm fees

USDA document
Data available with the Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of India shows that Thailand’s palm oil exports had been at 90,998 tonnes in 2019-20, which multiplied to six.98 lakh tonnes (lt) in 2021-22. In truth, India imported 5.73 lt of palm oil within the first six months of the oil yr 2022-23.

According to the June file of the USA Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service titled ‘Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade’, Thailand produces round 3.Five million tonnes (mt) of palm oil.

The increase in Thailand-sourced palm oil started out in 2021-22, a 12 months whilst Malaysia and Indonesia faced challenges getting home production to export markets. The issues confronted by using the palm enterprise in those nations enabled Thailand to seize greater than 10 consistent with cent market proportion in India in 2021-22, the document stated, adding this marketplace share seems stable in 2022-23 given exports to date.

Rising production
Sudhakar Desai, President of the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA), informed businessline that Thailand had helped meet Indian call for whilst Indonesia had banned palm oil exports. Thailand has emerged a herbal dealer of oil palm to India.

However, Thailand’s production does not suit the scale of both Indonesia or Malaysia.

While palm oil manufacturing in Thailand could keep growing, it would stay the third biggest manufacturer of oil palm. €�I am informed production is consistently growing in that u . S . A .,” he stated, including, it is ideal for India to de-danger from its dependence on Malaysia and Indonesia. Unlike Indonesia, Thailand is extra interested by sending CPO to India, Desai said.

The USDA report said Thailand is now forecast as the 0.33 biggest exporter of palm oil in 2022-23 with shipments forecast at 9,00,000 tonnes. It stated exports from Thailand account for much less than 2 in line with cent of the global palm oil trade.

Meagre output
Highlighting the logistical advantage of exporting from Thailand, BV Mehta, Executive Director of SEA of India, stated a voyage from Phuket to any southern port in India is hardly 4-5 days, at the same time as it is around 10-12 days from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Though Thailand does not impose any export responsibility or levy on palm oil not like Indonesia, its production is confined to around 3.5 mt. Of this, domestic consumption is round 1.Three mt, and around 1.2 mt is used for bio-diesel mixing. With this, Thailand is left with round 1 mt for export.

Asked if there’s scope for India to good buy for extra palm oil from Thailand, Mehta said the us of a has limited quantities to sell. It isn’t a massive manufacturer, however has a surplus of 1,000,000 tonnes. India has already sold it this yr, he stated.