Palm Oil Extends Rally to Eight-Month High on Supply Concerns

Palm rallied to the highest level in eight months on speculation that output in Malaysia, the world’s second-largest producer, will drop starting next month because of growing cycles and the onset of monsoon.

The contract for delivery in January advanced as much as 2.3 percent to 2,555 ringgit ($810) a metric ton on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, matching the intraday high for futures on Feb. 22, before trading at 2,551 ringgit by the midday break. Palm for physical delivery in November was at 2,540 ringgit.

While palm oil is produced year-round, output peaks from July to October, before tapering off. Prices are heading for a 10 percent gain this month, the most since December 2010, on expectation that the monsoon season that usually begins in November would slow production. The 14-day relative strength index for futures was at 73.5, the highest since Aug. 28. Some traders see readings above 70 as a sign that a drop is imminent.

Refined palm oil for May delivery jumped 3.7 percent to 6,332 yuan ($1,039) a ton on the Dalian Commodity Exchange and soybean oil climbed 2.3 percent to 7,220 yuan.

Soybeans for delivery in January climbed 0.6 percent to $12.78 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade, while soybean oil for December gained 1.5 percent to 41.59 cents a pound.