Palm Oil on Track for Second Straight Weekly Drop

2026-04-17 05:21 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Malaysian palm oil futures hovered below MYR 4,500 per tonne on Friday, set for a second weekly decline, down about 1.4% so far.

Weakness stemmed from softer soyoil prices in Chicago markets and sluggish exports, with cargo surveyors noting April 1–15 shipments fell over 34% mom amid muted festive demand.

Easing Middle East tensions also pressured crude oil, dampening risk appetite.

Still, losses were capped by a weaker ringgit and firmer edible oil prices on China's Dalian exchange.

On the demand side, purchases from India, the largest consumer, are expected to rebound after March imports dropped 19% to a three-month low.

Supply factors remained supportive, with inventories falling for a third month to a seven-month low.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s palm-based biodiesel consumption is projected to rise by more than 300,000 tonnes annually, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, as the country joins top supplier Indonesia in boosting blending mandates to curb reliance on energy imports.



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Palm Oil on Track for Second Straight Weekly Drop
Malaysian palm oil futures hovered below MYR 4,500 per tonne on Friday, set for a second weekly decline, down about 1.4% so far. Weakness stemmed from softer soyoil prices in Chicago markets and sluggish exports, with cargo surveyors noting April 1–15 shipments fell over 34% mom amid muted festive demand. Easing Middle East tensions also pressured crude oil, dampening risk appetite. Still, losses were capped by a weaker ringgit and firmer edible oil prices on China's Dalian exchange. On the demand side, purchases from India, the largest consumer, are expected to rebound after March imports dropped 19% to a three-month low. Supply factors remained supportive, with inventories falling for a third month to a seven-month low. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s palm-based biodiesel consumption is projected to rise by more than 300,000 tonnes annually, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, as the country joins top supplier Indonesia in boosting blending mandates to curb reliance on energy imports.
2026-04-17
Palm Oil Prices Stay Below MYR 4,500 on Weak Demand
Malaysian palm oil futures held below MYR 4,500 per tonne, hovering near a five-week low, as weak exports weighed on sentiment. Cargo surveyors estimated April 1–15 shipments plunged over 34% mom, reflecting the absence of festive demand. So far this week, contracts logged a second straight weekly decline, pressured by uncertainty over U.S.–Iran talks to end the Middle East conflict. Still, the downside was cushioned by firmer edible oil prices in Dalian and Chicago markets, alongside expectations that India, the top consumer, may boost purchases ahead of seasonal demand after March imports fell 19% to a three-month low. On the supply side, Malaysia’s inventories dropped for a third month to a seven-month low in March. Kuala Lumpur is also considering expanding biodiesel use to ease fuel strains amid the crisis. In key buyer China, solid Q1 2026 GDP growth lent support, though momentum may weaken as demand-supply imbalances and fragile external conditions persist.
2026-04-16
Palm Oil Stays Near Multi-Week Low
Malaysian palm oil futures remained below MYR 4,500 per tonne, extending recent losses and hovering near a five-week low. Prices were pressured by a stronger ringgit and weakness in rival edible oils on the Dalian market. Lower crude oil prices added further downside, as prospects of renewed U.S.-Iran talks raised expectations of improved supply, dampening biodiesel demand. Caution persisted ahead of cargo surveyors’ export estimates for March 1–15, due later today, after soft shipment data in the first ten days of the month pointed to weak near-term demand. Still, losses were capped by expectations that top buyer India may step up purchases ahead of seasonal demand, following a 19% drop to a three-month low in March. Additional support also came from Malaysia’s inventories, which declined for a third straight month to a seven-month low in March. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur reportedly pledged to expand biodiesel usage to ease fuel supply strains amid the Middle East crisis.
2026-04-15