Malaysian palm oil ends higher on softer ringgit

30 Aug, 2023

SINGAPORE: Malaysian palm oil futures recovered on Tuesday, helped by a weaker ringgit, although imminent oversupply concerns and weakness in rival edible oils capped gains.

The benchmark palm oil contract for November delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange finished 20 ringgit, or 0.51%, higher at 3,930 ringgit ($846.44) per metric ton.

“The weaker ringgit helped elevate prices today, although production is gaining traction in Malaysia and demand remains anaemic, thus the overall market remains susceptible to sell on strength,” said Paramalingam Supramaniam, director at Selangor-based brokerage Pelindung Bestari.

The Malaysian ringgit, palm’s currency of trade, last firmed 0.19% against the dollar, but remained at a near two-month low. A weaker ringgit makes palm oil more attractive for foreign currency holders.

Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract fell 0.9%, while its palm oil contract dipped 0.5%. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade lost 0.3%.

Palm oil is affected by price movements in related oils as they compete for a share in the global vegetable oils market.

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