Palm Oil Rebounds After Recent Weakness

Malaysian palm oil futures strengthened, hovering above MYR 4,850 per tonne and ending recent declines. Firmer soyoils on the Chicago markets supported sentiment, along with elevated crude oil prices as geopolitical risks in the Middle East persisted. Expectations of tighter supplies also lent support, as Indonesia’s B50 biodiesel mandate is set to divert more palm oil to domestic use, while El Niño risks could curb output in both Indonesia and Malaysia. Demand prospects improved as palm oil imports by top consumer India rose 7% from July to 782,761 tonnes in August, the highest since February, as refiners replenished stocks ahead of the festival season. Separately, Malaysia raised its October crude palm oil reference price while keeping the export duty at 10%. However, gains were tempered by weakness on the Dalian exchanges and signs of sluggish exports, with cargo surveyors estimating Malaysian palm oil product shipments fell between 12.8%—24.7% mom during September 1—20.