Indonesia dominates the global palm oil market

Palm oil is difficult to deteriorate, has a high melting point, meaning it has key advantages over other vegetable oils, and is also cheaper. This has ensured that it is now present in many commonly used products, including lipsticks, shampoo, bread, chocolate and biodiesel fuel. Annual global production quadrupled between 1995 and 2015 and is expected to quadruple again by 2050. The increase in palm oil production has had devastating consequences for the environment as it is grown in tropical rainforests. This has led to mass and uncontrolled deforestation, which has destroyed the habitats of many endangered species but also threatens wildlife. For example, the deterioration of the position of the orangutan, the Sumatran tiger, and the Sumatran rhino may also be associated with an increase in palm oil production. The process has also had an impact on rural regions in poorer countries, where it has led to higher incomes but has also resulted in widespread labor and human rights ...