NORTH AFRICAN IMPORTS OF SOY, PALM OIL RISING

HAMBURG, July 3 (Reuters) - North African imports of soy and palm oils arerising sharply, with a reduction in imports of sun and rape oils seen,independent newsletter Oil World said."For Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco we currently estimatecombined imports of oils and fats at a record 2.25 million tonnes inOct/Sept 2000/01, up three percent from the previous season,"Hamburg-based Oil World added on Tuesday.A sharp reduction in Tunisian olive oil production will cut exports andraise net imports of oils and fats to an estimated 116,000 tonnes up from84,000 tonnes last season, it said.For the five countries combined, Oil World sees soybean oil importsrising by 110,000 to 120,000 tonnes to 840,000-850,000 tonnes, of whichEgypt is seen importing 350,000 tonnes, up from 299,000 last season, andMorocco 290,000 tonnes versus 273,000.Palm oil imports are seen rising by 70,000 tonnes to approximately660,000 tonnes."The increase in disappearance is likely to approach four percent thisseason, which is up from an average growth of 2.5 percent in the latestfive years. The low prices throughout the season are seen triggering theabove-average demand growth in 2000/01," it said.