KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Wednesday, driven by stronger rival edible oils and production concerns, while increased buying ahead of a major industry conference also supported prices.
The benchmark palm oil contract for May delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange gained 82 ringgit, or 1.82%, to 4,586 ringgit ($1,032.65) a metric ton at the midday break.
The contract fell 0.84% on Tuesday.
The palm oil market is on a positive trajectory in unison with the rise in the Dalian and Chicago market, said Paramalingam Supramaniam, director at Selangor-based brokerage Pelindung Bestari.
“We are also seeing good buying interest likely being driven by position covering ahead of next week’s global edible oils industry conference and concerns about the weather’s impact on production in East Malaysia,” he said.
In its February 16 forecast, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said that a monsoon surge will likely affect the country from February 21-25 with continuous heavy rains in East Malaysia and the eastern states of Peninsular Malaysia.
Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract added 0.61%, while its palm oil contract climbed 1.35%.
Soyoil on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) gained 0.13%. Palm oil tracks the price movements of rival edible oils as it competes for a share of the global vegetable oils market.
Oil prices edged higher amid supply disruptions in the US and Russia and as markets awaited clarity on the Ukraine peace talks. Stronger crude oil futures make palm a more attractive option for biodiesel feedstock.
The European Union’s soybean imports for the 2024-25 season, which began in July, reached 8.62 million tons by February 16, up 11% year-on-year, while palm oil imports totalled 1.78 million tons, down 21%.
The ringgit, palm’s currency of trade, strengthened 0.02% against the US dollar, making the commodity slightly more expensive for buyers holding foreign currencies.
Palm oil may rise to 4,633 ringgit per ton, as its uptrend from 4,106 ringgit could have resumed, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said.
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