SEA Urges Government to Raise Duty on Palm Oil

Posted : November 21, 2023

The Solvent Extractors Association (SEA), an edible oil industry body, has called upon the government for a substantial increase in the duty difference between crude and refined palm oil. SEA suggests that the differential duty should be raised to 15 percent in order to bolster the domestic refining sector. This move is believed to be crucial for the development of the industry and growth of the local economy, as well as having implications for the global edible oil market.
1. The Solvent Extractors Association (SEA), an edible oil industry body, has advised the government to significantly increase the duty difference between crude and refined palm oil.
2. The SEA proposes that the differential duty should rise to 15 percent in order to strengthen the domestic refining sector.
3. This suggested change is considered essential for the growth and development of the industry, the local economy, and could have global implications for the edible oil market.
4. The SEA has expressed concerns of the edible oil industry and advocated for a higher duty differential between crude and refined palm oil.
5. The proposal could potentially bring about significant changes in pricing and trade dynamics if accepted by the government.
In 2020, India, being the world's largest importer of edible oils, bought in about 9.3 million tons of palm oil, predominantly from Indonesia and Malaysia.
In a clear articulation of the edible oil industry's concerns, the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA) has advocated for a higher duty differential between crude and refined palm oil, suggesting an increase to 15 per cent. The industry body believes this policy change could help boost domestic refining operations, which have been struggling under the current duty structure. The proposal, if accepted by the government, may have far-reaching implications for the industry and could spark major changes in pricing and trade dynamics.