Palm oil stockpiles in Malaysia surprisingly climbed in April after shrinking for five months as production in the world’s second-biggest grower swelled more than expected and exports declined. Futures in Kuala Lumpur fell. Inventories advanced 1.9% from a month earlier to 1.74 million tons, according to data released by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board on Friday. That’s above estimates in a Bloomberg survey last week that predicted inventories to drop to a one-year low of 1.63 million tons. “The report is slightly bearish as stockpiles and production were higher than market estimates,” said a broker. But that’s being priced in as prices have recently fallen, he said. Palm oil could attract some bargain buying if it dips below 3,690 ringgit ($779) a ton, especially given that inventories in top producers Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are still relatively low, and China may replenish its palm oil stocks, Bagani said.
