(Dec 26): Palm oil continued to climb for a fourth session, reaching its highest level in two weeks on the back of increased demand for Malaysian product. 

Exports from second-largest grower Malaysia rose 1.6% month-on-month during the first 25 days of December, according to Intertek Testing Services. India was the top buyer with 279,550 tonnes imported, a 66% rise compared to the same period the previous month.

“Exports are bound to rise now as the festival season’s demand catches up,” said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, head of trading and hedging strategies at Kaleesuwari Intercontinental. Demand ahead of Lunar New Year and Ramadan in February 2026 is expected to push prices up. 

However, he added that a stronger ringgit might cap gains. The Malaysian ringgit is set for over a four-and-a-half-year high as it strengthened for a third day, making the tropical commodity less attractive for overseas buyers.

Prices

• Palm for March delivery on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives rose as much as 1.2% to RM4,086/tonne
• Palm futures as of midday break stood at RM4,068/tonne, down 8.5% year to date
• Refined palm oil for May on Dalian Commodity Exchange rose 0.4% to 8,576 yuan (RM4,926.46)/tonne
• Soybean oil for May rose 0.3% to 7,844 yuan/tonne
• Soybean oil’s premium over palm was about US$84 (RM339.28)/tonne versus an average of US$96 in the past year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg
• Palm’s premium over gasoil was about US$381/tonne versus an average of US$310 in the past year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg

Source : TheEdgeMalaysia