Indonesia-Malaysia tax war may spur palm oil demand

Malaysian palm oil exports jumped more than 30% in the first half of September from a month before, according to estimates from cargo surveyors, as a direct benefit of abolishing export taxes.

SINGAPORE/JAKARTA: Palm oil's share of global vegetable oil consumption looks set to climb in the months ahead as the top two producers engage in a tit-for-tat export tax tussle designed to boost sales.

Barely a month after No 2 producer Malaysia cut export tariffs, top palm oil maker Indonesia is preparing a similar move to boost sales of the tropical oil used for cooking and in products ranging from candies to cosmetics.