Malaysian palm oil futures rose over 1 percent on Friday evening, rising to a two week high, backed by gains in related edible oils such as soyaoil on the US Chicago Board of Trade, and as export demand remains firm. The benchmark palm oil contract for May delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was up 1.4 percent at 2,523 ringgit ($644.12) a tonne at the close of trade, its strongest daily gain since the start of the year.
It earlier rose to an intraday high of 2,538 ringgit, its highest levels since February 12, and was up 0.6 percent for the week. Trading volumes stood at 44,727 lots of 25 tonnes each at the end of the trading day. Malaysian palm oil shipments have been rising in February compared to the previous month. Shipments rose 8-9 percent in the February 1-20 period versus the corresponding period in January, according to data from cargo surveyors.
Data for the February 1-25 period is scheduled for release on Monday after 0300 GMT. In other related oils, the Chicago Board of Trade's March soyabean oil contract rose 0.4 percent, in line with gains in soyabean futures as severe drought in parts of Argentina's oilseed producing regions is expected to hit production. The May soyabean oil on China's Dalian Commodity Exchange rose 1.6 percent, while the Dalian May palm oil contract was up 1.9 percent.