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 2014, bumper crops in the United States and South America led to record-breaking global soybean production. On the other hand, there was a striking decline in rapeseed production in Canada compared to last year's massive harvest. In the midst of these conditions, the demand for oil in developing countries remains strong and continues to grow rapidly, and the international value of these products maintains a high level. In Japan, the progressively lowering yen exchange rate has caused major increases in expenses for oil manufacturers who depend on imported raw materials for their production.
The Top 10 News Stories in the Vegetable Oil Industry for 2014 reflect these conditions. We can only hope that more of the top 10 news reports next year are happier stories.
| Ranking | Item |
| 1 | Yen exchange rates progressively lower, causing increasing raw material costs and pressure on the oil manufacturing industry |
| 2 | United States soybean production exceeds 100 million tons, the largest quantity on record |
| 3 | Japanese consumption tax raised to 8% in April 2014. Accompanied by a striking surge in demand from January to March followed by decline from April to June |
| 4 | Formulated feed production drops below 24 million tons due to factors such as diarrhea spreading among livestock pigs |
| 5 | With global bumper crop yields as a background factor, CBOT soybean prices temporarily declined to a level of $9. However, due to fierce demand all over the world, prices rebounded over $10 and stabilized |
| 6 | Due to bumper crop yields in the United States and South America, global soybean production is expected to exceed 300 million tons, higher than any year on record |
| 7 | Canadian rapeseed production in 2014 drops 3 million tons below last year's massive crop yields but still hits the 2nd highest volume on record |
| 8 | Domestic Japanese oil manufacturers establishing new factories |
| 9 | Soybean oil production breaks out of the declining trend, achieving positive growth (could reach the 2 million ton level for the first time in 2 years) |
| 10 | Declining feed production demand for soybean meal declines and growth of feed production demand for rapeseed meal stop. Soybean meal imports show signs of growth |
Note: The Top 10 News stories for the year are chosen by votes from 9 oil production industry trade paper companies and the chairman of the Japan Oilseed Processors Association.
