{
  "id": 15346215,
  "title": "Palm oil stocks tumble as S’pore looks for firms responsible for haze: Markets this week",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/palm-oil-stocks-tumble-as-spore-looks-for-firms-responsible-for-haze",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-18T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times Business",
    "slug": "straits-times-business",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/palm-oil-stocks-tumble-as-spore-looks-for-firms-responsible-for-haze-markets-this-week"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's palm oil stocks experienced a decline following reports linking certain Singapore-listed companies to plantation areas in Indonesia where fires and smoke were detected, contributing to the worsening haze across the city-state. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that Singapore was investigating which firms might be responsible for haze-causing fires, vowing to take action under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act and consider joint action with other countries if necessary. The haze has resulted in PSI levels exceeding 200 in some areas, indicating unhealthy air quality. Companies such as Wilmar International and Golden Agri Resources, which manage palm oil concessions in Indonesia, have stated that they have no-burning policies and are not aware of any involvement in the recent haze. Bumitama Agri, another palm oil company, reported that some of its operations in Indonesia were affected by fires originating from neighboring land. Despite the investigations, palm oil shares continued to fall, with Wilmar International down 1.2% and Golden Agri-Resources down 3.5% on October 16.",
  "summary": "ST’s business correspondents unpack the latest developments in the markets during the week and explain what they mean for investors.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singapore's palm oil stocks drop amid haze investigation",
    "Singapore PM probes firms linked to Indonesian plantation fires",
    "Wilmar International and Golden Agri Resources deny involvement"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Regulatory scrutiny under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act shifts environmental accountability directly onto listed palm oil producers, turning regional air quality issues into significant financial risks for plantation operators.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}