Southeast-Asia palm oil sector facing double blow

JAKARTA: South-East Asia’s booming palm oil industry is facing a double blow from a recent drought and a possible El Nino weather phenomenon later this year, with analysts warning a production shortfall could spark a jump in consumer goods prices.

From biscuits to shampoo and make-up, the oil has become a key ingredient in numerous products found on supermarket shelves across the globe, fuelling rapid growth of the industry in the world’s top two producers, Indonesia and Malaysia.