China
United States
India
United Arab Emirates
Japan
MalaysiaPalm Kernel Stearin prices rose by 10.8% in Q1 2025, continuing the market’s bullish trajectory for a fourth consecutive quarter. Tight crude palm kernel oil availability due to adverse weather in key growing regions restricted crushing volumes, while strong demand from Asia’s personal care and cosmetics sectors supported sustained offtake. The market traded in a narrow band throughout the quarter, indicating price acceptance across downstream industries.
Despite minor corrections following mid-March profit-taking, price sentiment remained broadly supported by constrained Indonesian exports and Malaysia’s quality-driven advantage. The quarter also highlighted stearin’s growing divergence from broader palm oil trends. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed Q1 2025 at USD 2,219 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices in Q2 2025 showed heightened volatility, declining by 3.2% quarter-on-quarter. The quarter opened strongly, building on Q1 momentum to reach USD 2,273 per metric ton by mid-May – the highest level since 2023 – supported by tight palm kernel oil feedstock supplies and robust demand from specialty chemical manufacturers. However, the rally reversed sharply in June as European buyers retreated from the market amid economic uncertainty and increased competition from coconut oil derivatives.
Prices plunged in mid-June before finding support from production cuts in Malaysia and Indonesia. The late-quarter recovery reflected re-stocking activity ahead of the festival season, though sentiment remained fragile. According to PriceWatch, RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,968 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang, with market participants closely watching kernel oil production trends and biodiesel blending policies that could impact feedstock availability.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices posted a 6.2% increase in Q1 2024, bucking seasonal expectations of a post-holiday slowdown. Early-quarter buying by Asian oleochemical producers, combined with production outages in Malaysia, helped establish a strong price floor. Market activity was concentrated in January, supporting firm values through the quarter despite weak sentiment in broader palm oil markets.
These gains reflected stearin’s increasing detachment from palm oil trends, driven by distinct demand and supply dynamics. Regional preferences favoured Malaysian material, which continued to command a quality premium. Overall, the quarter signalled the start of a more bullish pricing environment for 2024. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed Q1 2024 at USD 1,258 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices rose by 9.7% in Q2 2024 as the market recovered from prior oversold conditions. Renewed demand from China’s personal care industry and refinery production cuts in Malaysia supported the upward trajectory. Price gains remained steady throughout the quarter, with each dip drawing renewed buying interest from oleochemical and specialty chemical producers.
The firm tone was further reinforced by tightness in Indonesian exports due to biodiesel-related constraints. Unlike competing lauric oils, stearin retained its premium position in niche applications, sustaining trade flows. The quarter laid the groundwork for stronger pricing into the second half of the year. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed Q2 2024 at USD 1,454 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices advanced by 12.4% in Q3 2024, rebounding decisively from first-half weakness. Demand from China’s recovering cosmetics sector, combined with controlled output from Malaysian producers, tightened market availability. Futures structure shifted from contango to backwardation, reflecting growing nearby scarcity. Crude palm kernel oil strength and refining issues in Indonesia added further momentum to the rally.
Buyers displayed growing willingness to accept higher costs, aided by improved downstream pass-through pricing. Malaysia’s premium over Indonesian product widened, reinforcing its competitiveness. These factors collectively established a higher trading base heading into Q4. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed Q3 2024 at USD 1,699 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices surged by 19.3% in Q4 2024, marking the strongest quarterly gain since 2021. The sharp rally was driven by production outages at Indonesian crushing facilities and robust seasonal demand from global personal care manufacturers preparing winter inventories. Market tightness intensified as logistical disruptions at Port Kelang delayed shipments, prompting buyers to pay premiums for prompt delivery.
The December rally pushed prices past the USD 2,000 per metric ton psychological threshold for the first time in nearly two years. Strong buyer activity, even during a typically slow season, signalled structural tightening within the kernel oil complex. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed Q4 2024 at USD 2,071 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices in India surged by 12.6% in Q1 2025, recording the steepest quarterly increase in three years. Tight supply from Malaysian mills—driven by labor shortages and adverse weather—coincided with robust procurement from Indian buyers during the festival season. Chocolate manufacturers led the demand rally as they secured volumes ahead of summer launches, pushing prices to historic highs by early March.
However, elevated levels began to suppress marginal demand, especially in price-sensitive oleochemical segments. Despite the late-quarter slowdown, the market retained most gains, setting a new benchmark range for 2025. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 2,299 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices in India declined by 9.4% in Q2 2025, marking a shift from the bullish tone of earlier quarters. The quarter began with strength as Malaysian production cuts and Indian pre-monsoon stockpiling pushed prices to early highs. However, sentiment turned sharply in June as European oleochemical demand weakened and feedstock availability improved with seasonal yield recovery.
Despite strategic output reductions by Malaysian refiners late in the period, demand hesitation persisted. Buyers exhibited selective interest at discounted levels, signalling caution amid global macro uncertainties. Market fundamentals were caught between a recovering supply base and structurally expanding demand from the specialty food segment. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 2,088 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices rose by 7.2% in Q1 2024, signalling an end to the prior bearish cycle. Malaysian refiners cut output in late 2023 in response to weak margins, leading to tighter Q1 availability. Indian confectionery buyers began restocking after prolonged destocking cycles, while EU buyers resumed activity amid regulatory concerns related to upcoming deforestation mandates.
These dynamics supported firmer values throughout the quarter, despite subdued global vegetable oil sentiment. The improved tone laid the groundwork for continued strength in H2, as kernel oil supplies tightened and specialty fat demand stabilized across both developed and emerging markets. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,253 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices rebounded by 9.3% in Q2 2024, reversing the previous quarter’s downtrend. The recovery was driven by renewed interest from Indian specialty fat blenders and a more disciplined production environment in Malaysia. Food manufacturers adjusted input strategies to hedge against rising cocoa butter and dairy fat costs, creating steady demand.
Nonetheless, the upside was capped by competitive pressure from alternative tropical oils, especially illipe and shea, which remained abundant in key markets. Overall, the quarter marked a return to stearin’s traditional pricing premium versus palm stearin, restoring confidence in the product’s niche value proposition. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,454 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
In India, Palm Kernel Stearin prices increased by 14.8% in Q3 2024, marking a sharp rebound from earlier-year lows. The rally was underpinned by tightening kernel oil supplies during seasonal production dips, while cosmetic and specialty fat sectors accelerated procurement. Rising cocoa prices further supported demand for stearin-based cocoa butter equivalents, especially among European buyers.
The shift to a backwardated market structure signalled immediate tightness despite moderate forward supply expectations. Malaysian producers gained market share due to consistent quality, helping re-establish stearin’s premium role across specialty applications. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,699 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
In India, Palm Kernel Stearin prices rose by 16.2% in Q4 2024, continuing a strong upward trajectory as supply disruptions collided with heightened seasonal demand. Malaysian refiners faced persistent operational challenges, while Indian buyers ramped up purchases ahead of winter wedding demand. Prices rallied through November, breaching key psychological resistance as high-quality stearin became increasingly scarce.
However, momentum slowed in December as market participants questioned long-term demand viability at premium price levels, especially given stearin’s widening spread over related palm derivatives. Despite these concerns, the quarter reflected strong intrinsic pricing power in the stearin segment. RBD Palm Kernel Stearin closed the quarter at USD 2,090 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Palm Kernel Stearin is the solid, higher-melting fraction obtained from the fractionation of Palm Kernel Oil. It is a high-quality, white to off-white fat with a firm texture and neutral odor, valued for its sharp melting profile and oxidative stability. Derived from the kernel of the oil palm fruit, Palm Kernel Stearin has undergone refining, bleaching, deodorization, and fractionation processes to ensure high purity and performance.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Physical Property | Value (RBD Palm Kernel Stearin) |
| Physical state | Solid or semi-solid at room temperature |
| Colour | White to pale yellow |
| Odour | Neutral to slightly nutty |
| Melting point/freezing point | 33–39 °C |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point and range | >300 °C (decomposes before boiling) |
| Flammability | Non-flammable under normal conditions |
| Lower and upper explosion limit | Not applicable |
| Flash point | >250 °C (open cup) |
| Auto-ignition temperature | ~350 °C |
| pH (value) | Not applicable (non-aqueous) |
| Kinematic viscosity | Not typically measured due to solid state at 40 °C |
| Dynamic viscosity | Not applicable in solid state |
| Water solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value) | ~6.0–6.8 |
| Vapour pressure | Negligible at 20 °C |
Applications
Palm Kernel Stearin is widely utilized in the food industry for the production of margarine, bakery shortenings, confectionery fats, and filled milk fats, owing to its solid consistency, sharp melting profile, and excellent structuring properties. It serves as an effective cocoa butter substitute in chocolate and coating applications due to its high content of saturated fats like lauric and myristic acid.
In the personal care and cosmetic sector, Palm Kernel Stearin is used in bar soaps, creams, and solid formulations, offering hardness, good foaming, and long shelf life. Its solid nature and stability also make it a preferred fat base for candle manufacturing.
Industrially, it finds applications in lubricating greases, wax blends, and molding lubricants, particularly where a solid fat matrix is needed. Its oxidative stability and consistent performance under varying temperatures make it a versatile component across food, cosmetic, and industrial domains.
Climate and Farming Impact – (2024)
Erratic weather patterns—excessive rainfall in Malaysia and prolonged dry spells in Indonesia—reduced palm kernel yields and oil extraction efficiency. This constrained Stearin output amid strong demand from food, confectionery, and candle manufacturing sectors. Additionally, stricter sustainability and traceability rules in the EU created export hurdles, contributing to market tightness and elevated prices.
Feedstock & Logistic Disruptions – (2023)
Adverse weather and infrastructure issues in Southeast Asia restricted palm kernel oil (PKO) availability—the feedstock for Palm Kernel Stearin. Export curbs, container shortages, and rising freight costs led to shipment delays. Lower inventories in key importing countries, along with feedstock price swings, caused significant price fluctuations.
Russia-Ukraine War – (2022)
The war disrupted the global edible oils market, especially sunflower and canola oils used in food and confectionery. Palm Kernel Stearin, being a viable alternative in margarine and confectionery fats, saw a spike in demand. Concurrently, higher energy, fertilizer, and shipping costs increased production expenses, which were reflected in elevated Stearin prices.
Post-COVID Demand Recovery – (2021)
As economies reopened, demand for Palm Kernel Stearin increased sharply, particularly in the bakery, shortening, and soap manufacturing sectors. Rising export demand from South Asia and Africa coincided with limited labor availability in producing countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, tightening supply and pushing prices upward.
The COVID-19 Pandemic – (2020)
Global lockdowns disrupted palm oil supply chains, including the production of Palm Kernel Stearin. The closure of food processing units and reduced demand for bakery and confectionery products led to falling usage. Simultaneously, labor shortages and transport restrictions caused delays in processing and exports, contributing to price drops followed by volatility.
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Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Palm Kernel Stearin is the solid, higher-melting fraction obtained from the fractionation of Palm Kernel Oil. It is a high-quality, white to off-white fat with a firm texture and neutral odor, valued for its sharp melting profile and oxidative stability. Derived from the kernel of the oil palm fruit, Palm Kernel Stearin has undergone refining, bleaching, deodorization, and fractionation processes to ensure high purity and performance.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Physical Property | Value (RBD Palm Kernel Stearin) |
| Physical state | Solid or semi-solid at room temperature |
| Colour | White to pale yellow |
| Odour | Neutral to slightly nutty |
| Melting point/freezing point | 33–39 °C |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point and range | >300 °C (decomposes before boiling) |
| Flammability | Non-flammable under normal conditions |
| Lower and upper explosion limit | Not applicable |
| Flash point | >250 °C (open cup) |
| Auto-ignition temperature | ~350 °C |
| pH (value) | Not applicable (non-aqueous) |
| Kinematic viscosity | Not typically measured due to solid state at 40 °C |
| Dynamic viscosity | Not applicable in solid state |
| Water solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value) | ~6.0–6.8 |
| Vapour pressure | Negligible at 20 °C |
Applications
Palm Kernel Stearin is widely utilized in the food industry for the production of margarine, bakery shortenings, confectionery fats, and filled milk fats, owing to its solid consistency, sharp melting profile, and excellent structuring properties. It serves as an effective cocoa butter substitute in chocolate and coating applications due to its high content of saturated fats like lauric and myristic acid.
In the personal care and cosmetic sector, Palm Kernel Stearin is used in bar soaps, creams, and solid formulations, offering hardness, good foaming, and long shelf life. Its solid nature and stability also make it a preferred fat base for candle manufacturing.
Industrially, it finds applications in lubricating greases, wax blends, and molding lubricants, particularly where a solid fat matrix is needed. Its oxidative stability and consistent performance under varying temperatures make it a versatile component across food, cosmetic, and industrial domains.
Palm Kernel Stearin prices are primarily influenced by crude palm kernel oil (PKO) costs, which depend on kernel supply, yields, and processing efficiency in top producers like Indonesia and Malaysia. Demand from the food industry—especially for margarine, shortenings, and confectionery—drives trends. Prices are also shaped by alternative fat availability, climate impacts, freight constraints, and currency fluctuations. Regulatory shifts, such as traceability laws or tariffs, can alter trade dynamics and regional price competitiveness.
To secure better Palm Kernel Stearin prices, use insights on PKO trends, seasonal demand, and trade developments to strengthen your negotiating position. Long-term contracts help stabilize costs, especially during volatility. Source from multiple regions or consider alternative fats to enhance leverage. Build trust with suppliers to access better pricing and support. Lastly, optimize delivery terms—like choosing FOB or CIF wisely—to reduce freight impact and negotiate favorable warehousing and timing arrangements.
Procurement risks include price volatility from PKO trends and geopolitics, supply disruptions due to weather or logistics, and quality inconsistencies. These can be mitigated through forward contracts, diversified sourcing, and buffer inventories. Quality risks can be managed by enforcing strict specifications, auditing suppliers, and using Certificates of Analysis. Regulatory and currency risks—such as new traceability rules or FX swings—require ongoing monitoring and financial hedging to ensure cost control and compliance.
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