Malaysia expects a 15.5% increase in palm oil output this year and a 2.5% rise in 2018 due to better yields and expansion. Production could reach 20 million tonnes this year and 20.5 million tonnes next year, up from 17.3 million tonnes in 2016. Higher global demand, especially from China, the EU, and India, may push palm oil prices up to an average of 2,750 ringgit per tonne in 2018. The Solvent Extractors' Association of India has asked the government to raise import duties on edible oils to support domestic oilseed farmers. The International Grains Council increased its forecast for 2017/18 global grain production to 2.075 billion ton