Indonesia’s ambition to launch a new commodities exchange by Jan. 1 is achievable if it uses existing platforms rather than starting from scratch, according to the deputy chief of the Jakarta Futures Exchange.

Palm oil climbed to its highest level in about 20 months, as rising biofuel demand and mounting production risks from the strengthening El Niño underpin prices.

Malaysia continues to attract strong foreign investor interest despite growing political uncertainty following a string of local election setbacks for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition.

India, the world’s top sunflower oil buyer, is rushing to secure supplies of alternate vegetable oils as attacks in the Black Sea region disrupt imports and its own crops falter due to weak monsoon rains.

Palm oil fell from a near one-month high following weakness in the crude and vegetable oil complex, denting the appeal of biofuels.

Palm oil rose to the highest in nearly a month, tracking renewed strength in crude and other vegetable oil prices as the US and Iran exchanged escalating military strikes.

Palm oil headed for a second weekly advance on expectations for stronger demand from India, and a lift from higher crude prices.

Palm oil climbed for a second day as a surge in crude prices fueled by renewed US-Iran hostilities brightened demand prospects for biofuels.

Palm oil edged lower, weighed down by declining crude prices and expectations for strong output from the second-biggest grower, Malaysia.

The rollout of a pioneering palm-diesel blend is set to stretch Indonesian biofuel makers to their limits and tighten global supplies of the tropical oil by diverting it away from export markets.

Palm oil futures posted the biggest drop in more than a month, tracking declines in crude and soy oil prices, while a strengthening ringgit added to demand headwinds.