Malaysian palm oil futures rose for a second straight session on Friday, hovering near MYR 4,600 per tonne, supported by firmer edible oils on the Dalian exchange and a weaker ringgit. Strong export demand added momentum, with cargo surveyors reporting that March 1–25 shipments surged between 38% to 51% from February, reflecting robust post-Eid buying. Elevated crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions further lifted sentiment, boosting prospects for biofuel demand. However, futures are set to end the week slightly lower, down 0.2%, as earlier gains faded. The pullback was driven by expectations of weaker Indian demand, with March imports projected at 680,000 tonnes versus 847,689 tonnes in February. In Indonesia, authorities are accelerating the B50 biodiesel rollout while weighing higher export taxes for April. Meanwhile, caution lingers ahead of March PMI data in China, a key buyer, due next week, after factory activity slowed in February during the extended Lunar New Year holiday.
