Daily Update — April 27, 2026
Indonesia’s Biodiesel Shift; Disruptions to Asian Oil; and China’s Dual Industrial Mandate
Today is Monday, April 27, 2026, and here’s your curated selection of Essential Intelligence on global markets from S&P Global. Subscribe to be notified of each new Daily Update.
Energy Transition & Sustainability
Indonesia to stop diesel imports as it shifts to 50% biodiesel blend: Minister
Indonesia will stop importing subsidized low-grade diesel fuel from July 1 as the government enforces its B50 biodiesel program, which requires a 50% biodiesel blend, according to Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman.
"We will no longer import Solar starting July 1, when B50 takes effect,” Amran said April 19. “This is Indonesia's future energy because the source comes from palm oil." Solar is the Indonesian name for subsidized automotive diesel fuel, primarily used for public transport and small vehicles.
Indonesia is the world's largest producer and supplier of palm oil and has a 40% biodiesel mandate, also known as B40. In 2026, the country is fast-tracking biofuel mandates in the interest of energy security, as its energy subsidy bill has surged since April due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Global Trade
Listen: From Hormuz to Asia: the ripple effects on oil trade, prices and economies
The Middle East conflict has sent ripples across the global energy landscape, with the spotlight on the Strait of Hormuz — a critical passageway for Asia-Pacific's energy imports. Amid trade flow disruptions, the path to recovery, resilience of physical oil markets and broader economic consequences are under intense scrutiny. The market is looking for answers on transparency in pricing, benchmark adjustments and market adaptation during these times.
In this episode of the “Oil Markets” podcast, S&P Global Energy Asia Energy Editor Sambit Mohanty discussed these key themes with Atul Arya, chief energy strategist; Daniel Colover, global head of oil and chemicals market engagement; and Vishrut Rana, Asia-Pacific senior economist at S&P Global Ratings.
Economy
China’s dual industrial mandate: Autonomy and productivity
Autonomy and productivity are emerging as the two central pillars of China’s industrial policies. Reinforced by the country’s latest Five-Year Plan, S&P Global believes that this dual mandate will continue to drive Beijing’s policies across a variety of sectors, despite uncertain payoffs and major challenges.
The latest report from S&P Global’s Look Forward Council examines how this dual mandate will change China’s industrial policy over the medium term. It also examines the key challenges and implications for sectoral upgrading and global supply chains.
In case you missed it
- Shell signed an agreement to explore for oil and gas in Sierra Leone’s offshore basin, marking the company’s entry into the West African country just five months after Italian energy giant Eni.
- Bulgaria's adoption of the euro in January and Progressive Bulgaria’s win in an April 19 snap election present opportunities for higher regional and municipal investment after years of political instability.
- Indonesia's finance minister floated the idea of imposing a levy on ships transiting the Strait of Malacca, following April 21 comments from Singapore’s deputy prime minister on ships' unconditional transit rights through international straits.
Upcoming events
- Rethinking Investment Research Funding for the Buy Side | April 28 (Webinar)
- Navigating Geopolitical Event Risk: A Practical Framework for Credit, Market and Supply Chain Exposures | April 29 (Webinar)
- Taking Private Markets Performance Insights to the Next Level | April 29 (Webinar)