Indian buyers cut Malaysian palm oil purchases

MUMBAI: Indian refiners have stopped buying Malaysian palm oil for shipments in November and December fearing New Delhi could raise import taxes or enforce other measures to curtail imports from Kuala Lumpur, five traders told Reuters yesterday.

Lower purchases by India, the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil so far in 2019, could lead to higher inventories and put pressure on Malaysian palm oil prices, but help rival Indonesia in raising its shipments to India.

India is considering restricting imports of some products from Malaysia including palm oil in reaction to the South-East Asian country’s leader criticising New Delhi for its actions in Kashmir, Reuters reported on Friday.