The paper, covering the recent and future likely development in the world oilseeds, oils and fats markets, is meant to serve as a global frame to the subsequent expert presentations and panel discussions. It provides a brief assessment of the overall prospects of world supplies and export availabilities of oilseeds, oils and fats, focussing in particular on coconut- based products and on the importance of the Asian producer and exporter. Estimates are also provided on the short-term development in prices.