This paper reviews the results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, with special emphasis on governments' commitments to reduce protectionism and barriers to trade in the oilseeds, oils and oilmeals sector. It then assesses the possible impact of these commitments on world supply, demand, export availabilities and import requirements for the commodities comprised in the sector, including coconut oil and copra cake, providing quantitative projections for the year 2000 and reviewing prospects beyond that year. It also highlights the main policy and development issues, the challenges stemming from these prospects, as well as needs for further research, including those which are of particular interest to the world coconut oil and copra cake economy.