Malaysian palm oil futures edged higher to hover around MYR 4,800 per tonne, heading for a fifth straight weekly advance of near 4% so far. Prices were supported by firmer edible oils in Dalian markets and elevated crude oil after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed continued strikes on Iran, boosting biodiesel-linked demand expectations. Export momentum added near-term support, with cargo surveyors estimating shipments surged 44%–57% from February. In Indonesia, the world’s top producer, official data showed palm oil exports recorded double-digit growth in February as the industry prepares for a higher B50 biodiesel mandate in July. Gains, however, were capped by weaker demand from top consumer India, where March palm oil imports fell 19% to a three-month low as refiners delayed purchases amid high prices. Caution also grew ahead of key data in China, with CPI and PPI due next week, underscoring uncertainty for one of the market’s largest buyers.
