Palm Oil Retreats on Stronger Ringgit, Weak Exports

2026-05-25 04:01 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Malaysian palm oil futures fell over 1% to below MYR 4,500 per tonne, reversing gains from the prior session amid a stronger ringgit and weakness in Dalian edible oils.

Meanwhile, the Chicago market was closed for a holiday.

Broader energy markets also pressured sentiment, with crude oil prices slipping to two-week lows on optimism that the U.S.

and Iran were moving closer to a peace deal.

Weak exports further weighed on risk appetite, with cargo surveyors noting that palm oil shipments during May 1–20 dipped between 13.9% and 20.5% from April.

In India, the world’s largest palm oil buyer, imports shrank 26% in April to a four-month low due to softer institutional demand and a narrowing price discount.

Still, Losses were tempered by tighter exports in top grower Indonesia, set to phase in June–August ahead of full implementation in September, which could benefit Malaysia.

Jakarta will also lift its biodiesel mandate to B50 in July, while Malaysia plans to raise blending to B15 in June.



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Palm Oil Retreats on Stronger Ringgit, Weak Exports
Malaysian palm oil futures fell over 1% to below MYR 4,500 per tonne, reversing gains from the prior session amid a stronger ringgit and weakness in Dalian edible oils. Meanwhile, the Chicago market was closed for a holiday. Broader energy markets also pressured sentiment, with crude oil prices slipping to two-week lows on optimism that the U.S. and Iran were moving closer to a peace deal. Weak exports further weighed on risk appetite, with cargo surveyors noting that palm oil shipments during May 1–20 dipped between 13.9% and 20.5% from April. In India, the world’s largest palm oil buyer, imports shrank 26% in April to a four-month low due to softer institutional demand and a narrowing price discount. Still, Losses were tempered by tighter exports in top grower Indonesia, set to phase in June–August ahead of full implementation in September, which could benefit Malaysia. Jakarta will also lift its biodiesel mandate to B50 in July, while Malaysia plans to raise blending to B15 in June.
2026-05-25
Palm Oil Heads for First Weekly Rise Since Late April
Malaysian palm oil futures hovered around MYR 4,500 per tonne, recovering from recent losses as a weaker ringgit and firmer soyoil prices in Chicago lifted sentiment. Gains in crude oil prices also lent support, amid fading hopes for a breakthrough in U.S.-Iran peace talks. Meanwhile, top producer Indonesia plans to establish a centralized export agency for key commodities, including palm oil, raising concerns over possible supply disruptions during the transition period while potentially benefiting Malaysia’s palm oil sector. For the week, contracts are heading for a solid gain of near 2%, reversing drops in the prior three weeks. However, the upside was capped by weak exports, with cargo surveyors noting palm oil shipments for May 1–20 fell between 13.9% and 20.5% from the same period in April. In India, the world’s largest palm oil buyer, imports dropped 26% in April to a four-month low, due to softer institutional demand and a narrowing price discount against competing edible oils.
2026-05-22
Palm Oil Extends Subdued Momentum
Malaysian palm oil futures slipped about 1% to below MYR 4,600 per tonne, sustaining a muted trend as weaker edible oil prices on the Dalian and Chicago exchanges weighed on sentiment. Weak exports added pressure, with cargo surveyors estimating shipments during May 1–20 fell 13.9%–20.5% from the prior month. Demand worries deepened after April imports from top buyer India plunged 26% in April from March to a four-month low, reflecting softer institutional buying and a narrowing discount versus rival oils. Still, losses were cushioned by firmer crude oil, which bolstered biodiesel demand expectations and underscored global supply risks. Support also came from Indonesia’s plan to centralize commodity exports from the world's largest producer, including palm oil, raising concerns over supply disruptions. Jakarta will also lift its biodiesel mandate to B50 from B40 in July, while Malaysia is set to raise its blending requirement to B15 from B10 in June.
2026-05-21