02/09/2005 14:59 - Imports of palm oil to Russia continue to increase.According to official data, in December 2004 the country imported 71,000tonnes of this product, which is 50 percent more than in November andtwice as much as in December 2003. Totally, since the start of marketingyear (September) till the end of December Russia exported 48 percent morepalm oil than it had done over the same period of past MY (209,000 tonnesin Sep.-Dec. 2004).

Import of coconut oil in September-December 2004 increased 14 percent fromthe same period last season - to 28,000 tonnes. Import of palm kernel oilincreased 2.3 times - to 10,000 tonnes.

The increase in imports of "tropicals" to Russia is related to an increasein demand on the part of some industries, in particular - margarine, soapand confectionery, which boosted their operations in this season. Besides,the trend is also connected with high prices for sunflower oil, whichresults in an increase in the share of cheaper import tropicals inmargarine, soap and some other industries.