Malaysian palm oil futures slipped below MYR 4,800 per tonne on Tuesday, snapping a three-session gain as profit-taking set in, the ringgit firmed, and soyoil prices weakened on the Dalian and Chicago exchanges. Caution also emerged ahead of full-month March export data due later today, following a run of firm figures.
Demand signals from top buyer India eased, with March imports projected at 680,000 tonnes versus 847,689 tonnes in February, adding pressure. Indian regulators also extended the suspension of derivatives trading in key agricultural commodities, including crude palm oil, through March 2027, potentially curbing activity. Still, futures remain on track for a robust monthly gain of about 17.6%, the largest since April 2022, boosted by a surge in crude oil prices amid prolonged Middle East tensions. In China, a key buyer, manufacturing activity picked up after the Spring Festival. Meantime, Indonesia, the main supplier, reaffirmed plans to roll out its B50 mandate this year.
