Malaysian palm oil futures slipped for a third consecutive session on Thursday, hovering below MYR 4,050 per tonne and approaching a four-week low. Weakness in edible oils on the Dalian exchange and a firmer ringgit burdened sentiment. At the same time, analysts flagged downside risks from Indonesia, the world’s top palm oil producer, pausing its biodiesel mandate expansion, along with signs of higher output in the months ahead. Export data added pressure, with cargo surveyors reporting Malaysian shipments for February 1–10 declined between 10.5%–14.3% from the prior month. Demand from key consumer China is also expected to soften as buyers turn to cheaper soybean and canola oils. Still, losses were cushioned by Malaysian Palm Oil Board monthly data showing inventories fell 7.7% in January as production slumped 13.8% ahead of Ramadan and Eid. In top buyer India, palm oil imports surged 51% mom to a four-month high, rebounding from December’s sharp decline as refiners rebuilt stocks.
