Malaysian palm oil sees 9pc annual loss in 2025

JAKARTA, Dec 31 (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures closed lower on Wednesday as market participants booked profits ahead of the New Year holiday, winding up a volatile year with a nearly 9% loss as geopolitical uncertainties and tariff worries took a toll.

The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange lost 20 ringgit, or 0.49 per cent, to 4,050 ringgit ($998.27) a metric ton at the close.

"Futures were seen trading lower today on profit taking," said Anilkumar Bagani, research head at Mumbai's Sunvin Group.

Last year, the futures had gained nearly 20%.

"Palm witnessed a very volatile market this year, with varied uncertainties in global macro scenarios and tariffs and moved from the highs of about 4,650 to the lows of 3,725 ringgit," said Sandeep Singh, founder of Kuala Lumpur-based consulting and trading company, The Farm Trade.

The year 2026 could still be volatile from changing global economic scenarios, currency fluctuations and crude oil prices, he said. Dalian's most-active soyoil contract rose 0.15 per cent, while its palm oil contract fell 0.19 per cent. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade were down 0.18 per cent.