RTRS-POLL-Malaysia's palm stocks seen sliding to 16-mth low

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 - Malaysia's February palm oil stocks probably tumbled 8.6 percent to 1.67 million tonnes, their lowest in 16 months, as output slowed further on floods in key growing regions, a Reuters poll showed on Wednesday.

The stock level is at its lowest since October 2007 and the pace of the fall appeared to gain some momentum as shipments of the vegetable oil fell 10.7 percent to 1.2 million tonnes, moderating from a sharp drop recorded in January, according to a
median estimate of five plantation houses.

"Production in Sabah and Sarawak (state) could have fallen by 15 percent because the heavy rains caused massive floods," said one poll contributor.