Rise in Palm Oil Imports

Iranian imports of palm oil have risen 36.42% in terms of value during the eight months to Nov. 21 compared with the same period of last year.  According to official figures, 335,290 tons of palm oil were imported during the period, ISNA reported. The rise in palm oil imports took place, despite the public backlash over the controversial oil’s use in dairy products and harmful health effects. This is while Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi had announced in March that the import of palm oil had dropped from 700,000 tons to 350,000 tons in the fiscal 2016-17 compared with the year before. Public outcry over the import of palm oil during President Hassan Rouhani’s first term led to an agreement among private associations, Health Ministry and Agriculture Ministry to reduce the share of palm oil in total oil imports.