Thursday, March 8, 2012

RTRS- WRAPUP 1-Palm oil prices to shine in 2012; Indonesia export tax in focus

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Reuters) - Strong Asian demand chasing limited edible oil supply may boost palm oil prices that have gained six percent in February, reflecting the appeal of food commodities at a time of shaky global growth and rising geopolitical tension.

Analysts and traders at an industry meeting in Kuala Lumpur are shifting their focus to demand from top buyers India and China with limited palm oil output growth in Southeast Asia helping a little to offset the shortfall in soyoil after drought in South America withered crops.

But they warned of greater volatility in Bursa Malaysia futures as top palm oil producer Indonesia's move to slash export taxes for the refined grade will shift demand away from second biggest supplier Malaysia and boost stock levels.