Palm Oil Set for Second Weekly Drop as Supply, Weak Exports Weigh

Malaysian palm oil futures extended their decline, lingering below MYR 4,550 per tonne at their lowest level since mid-July. For the week, futures are heading for a second straight weekly loss, down around 3.1% so far. Sentiment was pressured by rising inventories, with August stocks reaching an eight-month high and expected to surpass 3 million tonnes in September. Weak demand further weighed on sentiment, with cargo surveyors estimating a 17.1%-28.8% mom drop in palm oil exports for September. Meanwhile, China’s Dalian markets were closed for a Golden Week holiday, limiting trading cues. Still, losses were tempered by forecasts that palm oil imports by top buyer India will remain steady in the 2026/27 marketing year following an import-duty cut. Lower edible-oil duties ahead of the festive season could also support near-term demand. Elevated crude oil prices offered additional support amid persistent Middle East uncertainty, improving the appeal of palm oil as a biodiesel feedstock.