Commodity Specific Studies
The most recent studies related to oilseeds,oils and meals prepared by the commodities and trade division.
Biofuels and Commodity Markets - Palm Oil Focus
In the last few years, demand for ethanol and biodiesel derived from grains, vegetable oils, sugar and other crops or derived products has risen sharply, reaching a level where the entire agricultural sector and its markets are being affected.
The role of soybean in fighting world hunger
After a brief overview of the current state of food insecurity and FAO's strategic vision in this field, the paper describes the position of soybean in agricultural production and in food consumption at both the global and developing country level.The importance of soybean in overall agriculture and trade, its contribution to food supply and related nutritional issues are discussed. The paper then attempts to identify the key policy and market factors that actually shape the global soybean economy, leading into a discussion of implications for food security in developing countries. Overall, the study confirms the current and likely future importance of soybean for human nutrition at the global level. However, it also shows that determining the crop's contribution to combating hunger in food-insecure, import-dependent developing countries is a complex task that can lead to different results depending on the country involved. The paper reveals that the discussion of food security issues using a global, single-commodity perspective faces some important limitations.
Possible Impact of Environmental regulations on the Cultivation and Processing of Major Annual and Perrennial Oilcrops
If poorly managed, the expected growth in soybean and oil palm production and processing could result in increased pressure on, or damage to the environment, caused by land conversion and environmentally un-sustainable farming practices, as well as by environmentally inadequate processing technologies.
Biotechnology developments in the oilseeds sector and possible impact on trade
Some of the objectives of biotechnological improvements of oil crops, such as higher yields, the modification of plant architecture, improvement of biotic and abiotic stress resistance, adaptation to new environments, earliness, etc., are common to other crops. However, for oil crops there are additional objectives concerning the bio-engineered modification of their fatty acid and protein composition, in order to adapt them to specific food, feed or industrial utilisations. Oil crops are also potential sources of renewable fuels and of raw materials for the chemical industry.
Possible implication of sanitary and phyitosanitary measures for exporters of oilseeds-based products to the European Union
The present document was prepared in response to the request of the Intergoverenmental Group on Oilseeds, Oils and Fats to collect and analyze information on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures applying to trade in oilseeds and oilseed-based products.
