Malaysia launches WTO palm oil complaint against EU

Spanish Market: Agriculture, Biofuels, Fertilizers
18/01/21

Malaysia, the world's second-biggest palm oil producer after Indonesia, has initiated legal action against the EU and its member states France and Lithuania with the World Trade Organization (WTO) for their anti-palm oil biofuel policies.

Kuala Lumpur has filed a request for consultations under the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism against the EU for implementing the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II without considering its views on and commitment to sustainable palm oil measures.

RED II classifies palm oil as a high indirect land use change product that raises its greenhouse gas emissions to unacceptable levels and so will be gradually phased out of the EU renewable energy mix by 2030.

France has gone further in its stance, having banned palm oil from being used as a biofuel feedstock as of 1 January 2020.

Malaysian minister of plantation industries and commodities Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said this creates an unreasonable trade barrier against Malaysia and is against the very principle of free-trade practice outlined by the WTO.

Malaysia has taken various steps, including economic and technical missions to Europe and giving feedback on the implementation of RED II, that have not been taken into account, he said.

It has also expanded coverage of its Malaysian sustainable palm oil certification scheme that aims to improve the country's sustainability practices. But Malaysian producers have come under fire for alleged labour abuses recently, with the US banning palm oil imports from Sime Darby and FGV.

Malaysia will remain a third-party observer in a similar case filed by Indonesia in 2019, which is ongoing.

Khairuddin said the country's involvement is crucial as a sign of support for and solidarity with palm oil-producing countries. Malaysia exported 379,000t of biodiesel last year, according to the Malaysian palm oil board.

Amandeep Parmar

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01/11/24

Port strike to halt Vancouver sulfur exports

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October a record month for AOM Ucome trading

01/11/24

October a record month for AOM Ucome trading

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US biofuel feedstock use dips in August

31/10/24

US biofuel feedstock use dips in August

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US court set to weigh biofuel blend mandates

31/10/24

US court set to weigh biofuel blend mandates

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By Cole Martin and Matthew Cope Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Rise in phosphoric acid price to hit Indian producers

31/10/24

Rise in phosphoric acid price to hit Indian producers

London, 31 October (Argus) — Higher phosphoric acid prices for the fourth quarter will push India to rely more heavily on DAP imports and domestic production using imported phosphate rock and sulphur to build its DAP stocks. The Indian government said in a document issued in September that it will cover the losses incurred on imports over September 2024-March 2025, but it has not committed to covering the losses incurred on domestic production. Domestic DAP producers using imported phosphate rock and sulphur are achieving profits, but those using imported phosphoric acid are facing negative margins. Phosphoric acid price hike lifts cost of production Indian fertilizer importer and producer Coromandel this week agreed to a price of $1,060/t P2O5 cfr India for phosphoric acid in the fourth quarter with Jordanian supplier JPMC, which is up by $110/t P2O5 from the third-quarter phosphoric acid contract price. No other producer or importer has yet confirmed settling their respective phosphoric acid contract requirements for the fourth quarter. Argus calculates that importing phosphoric acid at $1,060/t P2O5 cfr and ammonia at $460/t cfr will bring the total cost of DAP production up to $647/t. Adding variable costs brings the total to about $684/t. This means that domestic DAP producers using imported phosphoric acid and ammonia will face negative margins of $64-65/t given the current maximum retail price (MRP) of 27,000 rupees/t ($321.12/t), nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) of Rs25,411/t — including the Rs3,500/t special additional package — and US dollar to rupee exchange. Without the Rs3,500/t special additional subsidy — due to expire at the end of December — the loss would rise to about $106/t. Meanwhile, with the delivered price at $635/t cfr, importers of DAP would currently face a loss of about $92/t, given the current MRP, NBS and exchange rate, and without the additional government support. Domestic DAP producers importing 67 BPL (30.66pc P2O5) phosphate rock at $145/t cfr and sulphur also at $145/t cfr will make a profit of about $47/t in current conditions. Firm interest in phosphate rock and disruptions to Syrian exports have supported prices for Jordanian product. Indications for 66-68 BPL (30.2-31.1pc P2O5) phosphate rock are now in the $130s/t fob Aqaba. By Tom Hampson Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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