Malaysian palm oil futures fell for a third straight session on Thursday, slipping below MYR 4,020 per tonne as weakness in edible oils on the Dalian and Chicago markets weighed on sentiment. Elevated inventories near multi-year highs added pressure, signaling ample supply even as demand typically strengthens ahead of the Lunar New Year and the start of Ramadan. In Indonesia, the top producer, authorities scrapped plans for a mandatory B50 biodiesel blend this year, retaining the B40 mandate due to technical and funding constraints, dampening demand prospects. On the broader energy market, crude oil dropped on easing fears of a U.S. strike on Iran, reducing biofuel support. Still, losses were capped by a weaker ringgit and signs of stronger exports, with cargo surveyors noting January 1–10 shipments surged 17.7%–29.2% from December. Meantime, demand from India, the world’s largest palm oil importer, is also expected to recover in January after sliding to an eight-month low in December.
