Jakarta. Palm oil futures fell for a third straight session on Thursday, with benchmark prices on the Malaysian exchange slipping 0.58 percent to 4,428 ringgit per metric ton, as weaker vegetable oil prices in China and easing demand from India pressured the market.

Despite the decline, palm oil prices remain 1.1 percent higher over the past month, though they are still 3.8 percent lower than a year ago.

According to Trading Economics, demand from India, the world’s largest importer, has begun to soften following a surge in buying ahead of the Diwali festival, while sentiment across commodities was clouded by uncertainty over a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Hopes of renewed trade discussions with Beijing helped limit sharper losses.

Some support came from stronger exports, with cargo surveyors reporting Malaysia’s palm oil shipments for Oct. 1–20 rose by 2.5 percent to 3.4 percent from the previous month.

In neighboring Indonesia, the world’s top producer, rising domestic consumption has helped offset weaker international sentiment. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said national biodiesel consumption reached 10.57 million kiloliters in January–September 2025, up nearly 10 percent year-on-year from 9.61 million kiloliters.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council said it expects crude palm oil prices to hold above 4,400 ringgit per tonne toward the end of 2025, supported by steady biodiesel demand and uncertainty in global palm and soybean oil trade flows.