Palm oil gains on signs on robust Chinese demand, weak crude oil prices weigh

SINGAPORE: Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Tuesday, supported by robust soybean imports to China and indications of strong demand, though gains were limited by sluggish crude oil performance.

The benchmark palm oil contract for January delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange rose 46 ringgit, or 1.2% to 3,766 ringgit ($807.12) a metric ton at the midday break.

“The supply of soyoil increased due to hot and warm weather expected in western and central growing areas of Brazil over the next 10 days.

Additionally, demand for soyoil has surged, with China placing more orders,“ said Mitesh Saiya, trading manager at Mumbai-based trading firm Kantilal Laxmichand and Co.

China imported 5.16 million metric tons of soybeans in October, customs data showed on Tuesday, a 25% surge from a year earlier but lower than analysts’ expectations.

China booked its largest single-day US soybean purchases in three months on Tuesday, traders said, offering hope after overseas sales of the 2023 harvest had fallen behind normal pace.

Chicago soybean futures traded at a two-month high.

Elevated soybean prices translate into increased costs for soyoil, a product derived from soybeans. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade rose 0.4%.

Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract was up 0.15, while its palm oil contract was up 0.1%.

Malaysian palm oil declines on rising supply outlook

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

Oil prices stuttered on Wednesday after sliding to their lowest in over three months in the previous session, weighed down by concerns over waning demand in the world’s top oil consumers.

Weaker crude oil prices make palm oil a less attractive option for biodiesel feedstock.

The Malaysian ringgit, palm’s currency of trade, last traded flat against the dollar.

Malaysia, the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil, on Wednesday launched a system to facilitate management of transactional data along the supply chain.