Planters offer attractive yields

For yield-hunting investors, there are a number of planters with compelling dividend narratives. — Bloomberg

MALAYSIAN planters may be burdened with additional export duty and wage hikes announced during Budget 2025 but the crude palm oil (CPO) price rally, which is likely to continue this year, will more than make up for the higher costs.

Analysts are expecting CPO price forecasts of nothing below RM4,000 and as high as RM5,000 per tonne on the back of the continuing tightening of palm oil balances due to the rollout of Indonesia’s B40 biodiesel programme from this month as well as the subdued palm supply, alongside potential production shortfalls for other vegetable oils.