above RM2,600 a tonne for the rest of this year, supported by a firm

crude oil price.

Chief executive officer of Malaysian Palm Oil

Council (MPOC), Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron, said the CPO price would also

remain firm going into the first quarter of 2011 if the projected lower

soyabean output in South America materialised.

“To exceed RM2,600

is not an issue because the CPO was traded at RM2,700 and above in the

last few months,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of the International

Palm Oil Trade Fair and Seminar 2010 here today.

Yusof said CPO

output in both Malaysia and Indonesia in 2011 would increase

Global Oils and Fats Trade”, Yusof said production of oil and fats grew

at a slower pace vis-a-vis consumption.
“This tightness has so far been the major factor behind the strong vegetable oil prices, including palm oil.

“For

example, the average CPO price was RM2,559 for January to August, while

that for 2009 was RM2,244,” he said. He said Malaysia and Indonesia

would the main sources of supply for next year.

Yusof said the

CPO price has the potential for upside as the South American soyabean

production in 2011 would be the key determining factor.

“At this

point of time, projected lower soyabean production may further

deteriorate as the dry spell remains a teething factor for the output,”

he said.

He said the increase in the soyabean oil applications

for biodiesel production in South America was expected to reduce the

availability of soyabean oil traded globally. — Bernama