The Japan Oilseed Processors Association asks related media personnel to choose the top 10 new stories involving the vegetable oil industry each year, and we will be sharing the selections here.
In 2013, conditions changed drastically from the previous year, and global oilseed production rose. On the other hand, the demand for oil in developing countries remains strong and continues to grow rapidly, and the international value of these products remained high. In Japan, although the progressively decreasing yen exchange rates had positive effects mainly on export industries, these did not extend to domestic oil production due to its dependence on imported raw materials. TPP participation was announced, and factors such as reorganization of food labeling laws that will have impact on the oil manufacturing industry in the future also came out this year.
The Top 10 News Stories in the Vegetable Oil Industry for 2013 reflect these conditions. We can only hope that there will be lots of more cheerful stories in the top 10 news next year.
| Ranking | Item |
| 1 | The effects of Abenomics caused drastic declines in yen exchange rates, causing increasing raw material costs and pressure on the oil manufacturing industry |
| 2 | Global oilseed production increased due to favorable weather, with soybean crop yields in Brazil exceeding all historical records and the United States achieving its #3 most productive year |
| 3 | Canadian rapeseed was an unprecedented bumper crop, and there are concerns about the country's shipping ability due to increased yields for wheat and other crops |
| 4 | Demand for feed-use soybean meal drops, demand for rapeseed meal continues to grow, and soybean meal imports drop below 2 million tons |
| 5 | Soybean oil production below 2 million tons for the second year in a row, palm oil imports shift to a growth trend |
| 6 | The Japanese government is participating in the TPP negotiations. The talks continue. On the other hand, WTO comprehensive agreement is considered unrealistic |
| 7 | Global demand for vegetable oils recovers, bringing stability to high international oilseed price levels |
| 8 | China's oilseed imports continue to surge, with total soybean volume exceeding 60 million tons |
| 9 | Philippines struck by typhoon 30, major losses for coconut oil production |
| 10 | Japanese government announces consumption tax raise to 8% in April 2014 |
| Runner-up | 3rd East Asian Vegetable Oil Forum held (Taipei) |
Note: Chosen by votes from 9 oil production industry trade paper companies and the chairman of the Japan Oilseed Processors Association.
