Kuala lumpur: The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives is poised for profit-taking activity next week as international traders resume operations following the Chinese New Year holiday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jim Teh, a senior palm oil trader at Interband Group of Companies, anticipates that the futures will trade between RM3,800 and RM3,900 per tonne in the coming week. This prediction is based on the return of international participants who are expected to reassess their positions in the market.

Teh highlighted that CPO inventories remain sufficient in Malaysia and Indonesia, ensuring an ample supply for the physical market. He noted that physical buying interest is projected to originate primarily from regions such as India, Pakistan, the Middle East, the European Union, and, to a lesser extent, the United States.

On a Friday-to-Friday comparison, the March 2026 contract saw an increase of RM113, reaching RM4,063 per tonne. Similarly, the April 2026 contract advanced by RM50 to RM4,087 per tonne, while the May 2026 contract climbed RM42 to RM4,092 per tonne. The June 2026 contract rose by RM50 to RM4,096 per tonne, with the July 2026 and August 2026 contracts adding RM60 and RM64, reaching RM4,100 and RM4,099 per tonne, respectively.

The weekly trading volume experienced a decrease, falling to 194,724 lots from the previous 392,823 lots. Meanwhile, open interest showed a slight decline, moving to 228,011 contracts from 230,392 contracts recorded earlier. In the physical market, the CPO price for March South increased by RM50, settling at RM4,100 per tonne.