DJ Asia Crude Palm Oil Ends Up On Soyoil;Trade Thin On Lack Of Fresh Cues

JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Crude palm oil futures on Malaysia's derivatives exchange ended higher Monday, tracking stronger soyoil futures in after-hours trade, trade participants said.

However, trading activity was thin as many participants sat on the sidelines, preferring to wait for a clearer picture on exports to emerge before making major moves.

Cargo surveyors are expected to release data on Malaysia's June 1-30 exports Wednesday.

The benchmark September contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives exchange ended MYR16 higher at MYR2,400 a metric ton after trading in a narrow range of MYR2,388-MYR2,410.

A lack of fresh local cues prompted the market to rely heavily on soyoil movements.

By the end of trade on the BMD, July soyoil on the electronic Chicago Board of Trade was up 14 points at 37.30 cents a pound.

"Stronger soyoil futures helped prevent CPO prices from veering into negative territory, but they weren't enough to boost CPO prices substantially or encourage more trading activity on the BMD," said a Kuala Lumpur-based trader.

Participants said export data for June so far have shown volumes that were largely within expectations.

However, production is tipped to be on the rise, prompting slightly bearish sentiment despite stronger external cues today.

Oil palm production is expected to rise 5%-10% this month as the seasonal high-production cycle kicks into gear in June.

"The wild card is in determining whether June's exports will be much higher on month to negate the effects of higher production," said another Kuala Lumpur-based trader.

"If exports can show an increase of 5%-10%, then the market will likely hold above the psychological support level of MYR2,400," he added.

Cash palm olein for August was traded at $782.50/ton, free on board Malaysian ports.

Open interest on the BMD was 75,805 lots versus 76,131 lots Friday. One lot is equivalent to 25 tons.

A total of 8,026 lots of CPO were traded versus 9,069 lots Friday.

Closing BMD CPO futures prices in MYR/ton at 1000 GMT: 
 
Month   Close  Previous  Change   High    Low 
Jul'10  2,464     2,451  Up   13  2,475   2,463 
Aug'10  2,423     2,409  Up   14  2,433   2,418 
Sep'10  2,400     2,384  Up   16  2,410   2,388 
Oct'10  2,384     2,373  Up   11  2,385   2,377 
 
 
  -By Fawziah Selamat, Dow Jones Newswires; +62 21 3983 1277;
fawziah.selamat@dowjones.com