Palm Oil Extends Losses, Trades Below MYR 4,700

Malaysian palm oil futures slipped further, staying below MYR 4,700 per tonne and hovering near a one-week low amid weakness in edible oils on the Dalian and Chicago exchanges. Signs of ample supply continued to weigh on sentiment, with Malaysia’s July palm oil inventories rising 3.32% mom, while production surged 9.41%. Lower crude oil prices also pressured edible oils after forecasts pointed to softer global oil demand in 2026. Meanwhile, Malaysia lowered its September crude palm oil reference price, but the adjustment was not enough to push the export duty below 10%. Still, a weaker ringgit helped cushion the downside by making palm oil more affordable for overseas buyers. Export prospects also improved, with cargo surveyors estimating Malaysian palm oil shipments rose between 2.6% and 14.8% in the first 10 days of August. In top buyer India, expectations of stronger festive-season demand provided additional support after July edible oil imports climbed to a ten-month high.

Malaysian palm oil futures eased, slipping below MYR 4,720 per tonne as profit-taking set in after a two-week high. Losses tracked declines in edible oils on the Dalian exchange and were compounded by signs of ample supply: July inventories rose 3.32% to 2.63 million tonnes, while output surged 9.41% to 1.79 million tonnes. Softer Chinese inflation data underscored weak demand in the world’s top edible oil importer, further weighing on sentiment. Still, downside was cushioned by a weaker ringgit and firmer soyoil prices on the Chicago exchange. In top buyer India, festive-season demand expectations lent support after July imports hit a ten-month peak. Export prospects brightened as cargo surveyors estimated shipments rose between 2.6% and 14.8% in the first ten days of August. Meanwhile, stronger crude oil prices added a tailwind, with Middle East supply concerns, heightened by attacks on two ships and uncertainty over a U.S.–Iran peace deal, bolstering the broader commodity complex.

Malaysian palm oil futures pushed higher, hovering above MYR 4,740 per tonne and marking the strongest level in more than two weeks, as a softer ringgit boosted export competitiveness and firmer palm olein prices on the Dalian exchange also lent support. Export estimates reinforced the bullish tone, with cargo surveyors reporting Malaysian palm oil shipments increased between 2.6% and 14.8% in the first 10 days of August. Demand prospects in top consumer India also improved, with July edible oil imports climbing to a 10-month high as refiners stepped up palm oil and soyoil purchases ahead of the festive season. However, gains were capped by signs of abundant supply. Malaysia’s July inventories rose 3.32% month-on-month to 2.63 million tonnes, while production jumped 9.41% to 1.79 million tonnes. Meanwhile, in China, another key buyer, both consumer and producer price inflation eased in July, underscoring weak domestic demand that could limit further upside in palm oil.