Except for the dip early this past summer, global vegetable oil prices have been on a year-long steady trajectory higher. This is especially true for sunflower oil, and thus the announced Russian export restrictions. 

The rise in value of industrial materials gets the headlines as big bets on the future of the global economy, however, investors looking for yield would have fared better this year if they had just bought good old vegetable oil.

The strike in Argentina is only a small and recent contributor to the supply/demand imbalance. Even before the strike, U.S. soyoil prices were lower. Like all bubbles, this one will eventually pop but for right now it is an impressive ride.  ...