Climate and Farming Impact – (2024) 
Climate variability, including erratic rainfall in Malaysia and drought stress in Indonesian plantations, reduced kernel yields and oil recovery rates. This coincided with strong global demand for personal care and hygiene products. Moreover, evolving sustainability standards and traceability enforcement in the EU impacted export volumes, adding further complexity to pricing trends. 
Feedstock & Logistic Disruptions – (2023) 
Heavy rains and logistical bottlenecks in Southeast Asia constrained the availability of palm kernel oil (PKO), the key feedstock for RBD Palm Kernel Olein. Export regulations, increased freight costs, and reduced vessel availability intensified supply chain pressure. Lower stockpiles in importing nations and fluctuating feedstock prices led to pronounced price swings. 
Russia-Ukraine War – (2022) 
The conflict caused major disruptions in the global vegetable oil market, particularly sunflower oil. As a result, buyers turned to RBD Palm Kernel Olein as an affordable substitute, driving up demand. Rising input costs—especially for fertilizers, energy, and shipping—further inflated production expenses, contributing to higher prices. 
Post-COVID Demand Recovery – (2021) 
As economies reopened, demand for RBD Palm Kernel Olein rebounded sharply, particularly from the soap, detergent, and cosmetic sectors. Export orders from key markets such as Africa and South Asia surged. However, workforce shortages in Malaysia and Indonesia hampered full production recovery, tightening supply and elevating prices. 
The COVID-19 Pandemic – (2020) 
Global lockdowns disrupted palm oil supply chains, including the production and refining of RBD Palm Kernel Olein. Labor shortages, transport restrictions, and port shutdowns led to reduced output and delayed shipments. As demand from food, oleochemical, and personal care industries temporarily declined, inventories surged, resulting in price volatility and market uncertainty.