PALMOILMAGAZINE, KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian crude palm oil (CPO) futures extended losses on Friday, December 19, 2025, dropping more than 1% and setting up a potential second consecutive weekly decline, pressured by weaker prices of competing vegetable oils and a firmer ringgit.
A broad pullback in global vegetable oils—particularly soybean oil—has eroded palm oil’s price competitiveness in international markets. At the same time, the strengthening Malaysian ringgit dampened buying interest by making exports costlier for overseas buyers, according to Reuters.
The benchmark March 2026 CPO contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell RM47 per ton, or 1.18%, to RM3,933 per ton by the midday break. On a weekly basis, the contract is down about 0.92%.
Weakness across rival markets added to the pressure. On the Dalian Commodity Exchange, the most-active soybean oil contract slid 1.51%, while Dalian palm oil declined 1.31%. In contrast, soybean oil on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) edged up 0.04%.
Market participants say near-term CPO price direction will remain closely tied to movements in competing vegetable oils, currency fluctuations, and the trajectory of global demand as markets approach year-end. (P3)
