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 2016, countries such as the United States had excellent crop yields and world soybean production reached record highs. In international relations, people will be focusing on Trump's handling of various issues. In addition, vegetable oils are getting a lot of attention for the 2nd year in a row, the demand for various oils is increasing, and the industry as a whole must take advantage of this situation to ensure the demand will be here to stay rather than a fleeting change.
The Top 10 News Stories in the Vegetable Oil Industry for 2016 reflect these conditions. We can only hope that more of the top 10 news reports next year are happier stories.
| Ranking | Item |
| 1 | Soybean production in the United States exceeds 100 million tons for the 3rd year in a row and global production is expected to exceed all historical records |
| 2 | Trump will be the next president of the United States. Will TPP include taxes on oils or other measures that affect the vegetable oil industry? |
| 3 | Canadian rapeseed production is expected to exceed historical records even though a portion of the crops will not be harvested |
| 4 | Vegetable oils are a popular topic and especially valued by young women, resulting in invigorated demand for oils such as olive, flaxseed, perilla, rice bran, and sesame. Increasing commitment to good health is a background factor |
| 5 | Japanese soybean oil production increases for the third year in a row (possibly achieving a level of over 2 million tons for the second consecutive year) |
| 6 | Yen exchange rate weakens under Trump and U.S. Soybean oil value goes up |
| 6 | Palm oil production declines due to the El Nino phenomenon, exceeding the 3,000 Malaysian ringgit figures of September 2012 |
| 8 | Considerations are underway for expanding the country of origin labeling requirements for product ingredients, vegetable oils to be included |
| 9 | Decline in olive oil production of major countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and Tunisia expected |
| 10 | 60th anniversary of the USSEC deepens the bond between Japan and the United States |
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.
