China
United States
India
United Arab Emirates
Japan
MalaysiaPalm Stearin pricing in Q1 2025 extended its downtrend as prices declined by 12.3% amid high palm oil inventories and muted industrial demand. Despite this, the market showed relative stability within a USD 1,058-1,174 per metric ton trading band, indicating weak but balanced conditions. The quarter reflected intense price competition with alternative feedstocks, as global vegetable oil surpluses suppressed any meaningful recovery. Buyer sentiment remained cautious, with oleochemical producers focusing on hand-to-mouth purchases rather than forward coverage. This period highlighted the ongoing demand destruction in key applications despite manageable supply. RBD Palm Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,058 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Stearin prices in Q2 2025 remained under pressure as weak biodiesel demand and ample soft oil supplies weighed on the market. During the quarter, Palm Stearin prices declined by 11.3%. The quarter saw prices bottom out at USD 910 per metric ton in mid-June before a late-quarter recovery driven by production cuts and African buying interest. Persistent competition from soybean oil and Indonesia’s reduced biodiesel blending requirements continued to cap upward momentum, while Malaysian refinery run cuts helped prevent steeper declines. Mixed fundamentals left the market testing support levels toward the close of the quarter, balancing weak oleochemical demand against tightening supplies. According to PriceWatch, RBD Palm Stearin ended the quarter at USD 975 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Stearin began 2024 with moderate gains as prices increased by 4.8% despite traditionally slow post-holiday demand. Prices were supported by disciplined production in Malaysia and Indonesia, which helped offset weak biodiesel margins and ample competing feedstocks globally. Early-year restocking by industrial users ahead of summer provided a temporary boost, though gains were tempered by ongoing competition from alternative hard stocks. The quarter laid the foundation for stronger pricing later in the year as sentiment shifted toward tightening supply. RBD Palm Stearin closed Q1 2024 at USD 939 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Stearin prices in Q2 2024 rebounded steadily, gaining by 9.1%, supported by improved oleochemical demand and production issues across Southeast Asia. The market showed a clear transition from contango to backwardation, signalling tightening nearby supplies despite lingering uncertainty in global industrial demand. Competitive pressure from tallow and other hard stocks capped the pace of gains, but sentiment remained cautiously optimistic as regional buyers replenished inventories. This quarter marked a turning point after the subdued spring market, restoring confidence in palm stearin’s pricing resilience. RBD Palm Stearin ended the quarter at USD 881 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Stearin witnessed its strongest quarterly performance since 2022 in Q3 2024, with prices surging by 13.6% on production shortfalls in Indonesia and Malaysia. Robust demand from soap manufacturers ahead of festival seasons further fuelled the rally, pushing the market above key technical levels. Tight stocks and firm palm oil prices amplified upward momentum, reinforcing palm stearin’s pricing power relative to competing fractions.
However, concerns emerged over demand sustainability as prices neared multi-year highs, highlighting the delicate balance between industrial needs and feedstock affordability. RBD Palm Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,008 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Stearin prices in Q4 2024 experienced exceptional volatility as prices rose sharply by 19.8%, initially supported by tight biodiesel-derived supplies and pre-winter stocking. However, the rally lost steam in late December as anticipated demand failed to materialize and year-end profit-taking dominated trading. Shifting inventory reports and evolving biodiesel policy expectations in Southeast Asia further destabilized sentiment.
The quarter’s trajectory demonstrated how quickly sentiment can reverse when fundamental and speculative factors diverge. What began as a bullish quarter ended on a weaker note, underscoring the market’s vulnerability to rapid corrections. RBD Palm Stearin concluded the quarter at USD 1,254 per metric ton FOB Port Kelang.
Palm Stearin prices collapsed 18.5% to USD 1,152 per metric ton in Q1 2025, marking the steepest quarterly drop since 2020. The sell-off accelerated through March as Indian buyers deferred purchases amid ample domestic inventories. Despite Malaysia’s export tax adjustments, prices broke below key support levels at USD 1,200 per metric ton, reflecting structural oversupply in the stearin segment. The quarter highlighted growing divergence between palm oil and palm stearin fundamentals, with the latter suffering from weak industrial demand. RBD Palm Stearin ended Q1 at USD 1,152 per metric ton.
Palm Stearin prices in Q2 2025 remained volatile, declining by 12.7% as weak Indian demand and high Malaysian stocks pressured the market. The quarter saw prices bottom at USD 1,004 per metric ton in June before a late-month rally on production cuts. Subdued oleochemical demand and competitive pressure from soybean stearin capped gains, though reduced Malaysian exports prevented steeper falls. Market sentiment remained fragile with buyers resisting higher prices despite tightening supplies. According to PriceWatch, RBD Palm Stearin closed the quarter at USD 1,071 per metric ton CIF Nhava Sheva.
Palm Stearin opened 2024 on a firm note, gaining 6.3% in Q1 despite the usual post-holiday demand slowdown. Malaysian production discipline combined with India’s early-year restocking created temporary tightness, pushing prices to a quarterly peak of USD 1,023 per metric ton in March. This period marked the start of a clear pricing premium for stearin over palm Stearin, reflecting its growing value in industrial uses such as soaps, candles, and oleochemicals. While the quarter highlighted resilience in specialized demand, broader vegetable oil markets remained weak, limiting further upside momentum. By the end of March, the market had stabilized after brief rallies. Palm Stearin closed Q1 at USD 899 per metric ton.
The Palm Stearin market posted a steady 9.1% gain in Q2 2024, recovering from early-quarter lows driven by subdued industrial demand. Malaysian export volumes improved significantly, while India’s pre-monsoon restocking offered consistent support to the market. However, prices struggled to sustain levels beyond USD 1,000 per metric ton as downstream buyers remained cautious amid broader vegetable oil market softness. Notably, stearin began decoupling from crude palm oil’s volatility during this period, reflecting its more specialized demand in oleochemical and industrial applications. The quarter defined a new, narrower trading range, signalling a shift toward supply-led pricing patterns. Palm Stearin concluded Q2 at USD 992 per metric ton.
Prices gained 14.2% to USD 1,063 per metric ton in Q3 2024 as Malaysian output concerns and strong Indian import demand converged. The uptrend was particularly sharp in September (USD 1,042-1,188 per metric ton) as stearin became caught in palm oil’s broader rally. However, the advance exposed demand fragility, with Indian buyers quickly retreating when prices neared USD 1,200 per metric ton. The quarter closed at USD 1,063 per metric ton, testing resistance levels that would hold through year-end.
Palm Stearin surged 23.8% to USD 1,337 per metric ton in Q4 2024, peaking at USD 1,415 per metric ton in early December before profit-taking emerged. The rally was driven by production shortfalls in Malaysia and pre-festive stocking from Indian soap manufacturers. Tightness in palm oil fatty acid distillates (PFAD) further supported stearin values, though the rally lost momentum as year-end inventory adjustments began. The quarter demonstrated stearin’s heightened sensitivity to biodiesel-driven palm oil tightness. Prices closed at USD 1,337 per metric ton.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Palm Stearin is the solid fraction obtained from the fractionation of palm oil. It is a premium-quality, white to pale yellow, odourless vegetable fat with a high melting point and excellent oxidative stability. Produced through refining, bleaching, deodorization, and fractionation of crude palm oil, Palm Stearin is characterized by its firmness at room temperature and rich saturated fatty acid profile, predominantly palmitic acid.
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 (Palm Stearin) |
| Physical state | Solid or semi-solid at room temperature |
| Colour | White to pale yellow |
| Odour | Odourless to slightly fatty |
| Melting point/freezing point | 42–54 °C |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point and range | >300 °C (decomposes before boiling) |
| Flammability | Non-flammable under normal handling 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 | 60–85 mm²/s at 40 °C |
| Dynamic viscosity | 55–75 mPa·s at 40 °C |
| Water solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value) | ~6.5–7.2 |
| Vapour pressure | Negligible at 20 °C |
| Density | 0.89–0.92 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
Applications
Palm Stearin is widely used in the food industry for cooking oils, margarine, confectionery fats, ice cream coatings, and non-dairy creamers due to its light texture, high oxidative stability, and excellent frying properties. In personal care and cosmetics, it is incorporated into lotions, creams, and soaps for its emollient and moisturizing benefits. Industrially, it serves as an ingredient in lubricants and biodiesel formulations. Its high lauric acid content, low viscosity, and stability at elevated temperatures make it valuable across food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors.
Climate and Farming Impact – (2024)
Abnormal rainfall patterns and drought conditions in major producing countries impacted palm fruit quality and yield. This reduced the volume of stearin available after fractionation. Simultaneously, robust demand from food processors and soap manufacturers drove competition for limited supply. Stricter environmental and traceability regulations in Europe also delayed shipments, further affecting global price dynamics.
Feedstock & Logistic Disruptions – (2023)
Unfavourable weather patterns in key producing regions reduced palm oil yields, limiting the availability of feedstock for Palm Stearin. Logistics constraints—including port congestion, reduced vessel availability, and high shipping rates—further complicated supply chains. Combined with rising crude palm oil prices, these factors introduced significant volatility in Palm Stearin markets.
Russia-Ukraine War – (2022)
The war disrupted global edible oil markets, especially sunflower oil exports. As Palm Stearin became a viable alternative for food processing and frying applications, demand increased sharply. Higher fertilizer and energy costs also drove up upstream production costs, which were passed down the value chain, contributing to elevated Palm Stearin prices globally.
Post-COVID Demand Recovery – (2021)
As industrial activity resumed, demand for Palm Stearin surged—especially in the production of margarine, shortening, and soap. Countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East increased imports to restock. However, operational slowdowns due to lingering labour constraints in Malaysia and Indonesia prevented a swift recovery in output, tightening supply and pushing prices upward.
The COVID-19 Pandemic – (2020)
Global lockdowns and movement restrictions severely disrupted the palm oil industry, affecting both crude palm oil processing and Palm Stearin production. Labor shortages and transportation barriers led to delays in refining operations. As demand from industrial sectors like food manufacturing, bakery fats, and soap production weakened temporarily, inventories built up, resulting in sharp price fluctuations and uncertainty in global markets.
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Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Palm Stearin is the solid fraction obtained from the fractionation of palm oil. It is a premium-quality, white to pale yellow, odourless vegetable fat with a high melting point and excellent oxidative stability. Produced through refining, bleaching, deodorization, and fractionation of crude palm oil, Palm Stearin is characterized by its firmness at room temperature and rich saturated fatty acid profile, predominantly palmitic acid.
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 (Palm Stearin) |
| Physical state | Solid or semi-solid at room temperature |
| Colour | White to pale yellow |
| Odour | Odourless to slightly fatty |
| Melting point/freezing point | 42–54 °C |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point and range | >300 °C (decomposes before boiling) |
| Flammability | Non-flammable under normal handling 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 | 60–85 mm²/s at 40 °C |
| Dynamic viscosity | 55–75 mPa·s at 40 °C |
| Water solubility | Insoluble in water |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value) | ~6.5–7.2 |
| Vapour pressure | Negligible at 20 °C |
| Density | 0.89–0.92 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
Applications
Palm Stearin is widely used in the food industry for cooking oils, margarine, confectionery fats, ice cream coatings, and non-dairy creamers due to its light texture, high oxidative stability, and excellent frying properties. In personal care and cosmetics, it is incorporated into lotions, creams, and soaps for its emollient and moisturizing benefits. Industrially, it serves as an ingredient in lubricants and biodiesel formulations. Its high lauric acid content, low viscosity, and stability at elevated temperatures make it valuable across food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors.
Palm Stearin pricing is largely influenced by crude palm oil values, which depend on harvest yields, raw material availability, and processing capacity in key producers like Indonesia and Malaysia. Downstream demand from food, oleochemical, personal care, and biofuel industries strongly affects price stability, with robust demand supporting higher levels. Short‑term fluctuations are often driven by weather events such as monsoons or droughts, logistical disruptions, and currency volatility. Additionally, regulatory changes—including EU sustainability standards and biodiesel mandates—can tighten supply or alter trade flows. Local inventory levels and competing vegetable oil prices also play a crucial role in determining Palm Stearin trends.
To secure favourable Palm Stearin pricing, buyers should closely track global market trends, demand shifts, and policy updates impacting crude palm oil and refined products. Long‑term contracts can help lock in stable pricing while offering volume‑based discounts, especially during periods of market volatility. Evaluating alternative suppliers and comparing competing vegetable oils strengthens bargaining power. Building trust and long‑term relationships with key suppliers often results in better flexibility and preferential allocation during tight markets. Additionally, negotiating logistics and freight terms can lower overall landed costs, particularly when dealing with port congestion, seasonal freight hikes, or delivery bottlenecks.
Palm Stearin procurement faces risks such as price volatility driven by crude palm oil fluctuations, policy changes, and macroeconomic uncertainty. Supply disruptions from seasonal production swings, extreme weather, or logistics delays can affect availability, while inconsistent refining or storage may cause quality issues. Regulatory changes and currency fluctuations further impact procurement costs. To mitigate these risks, companies can use hedging tools like futures and forward contracts, diversify their supplier base across regions, and maintain safety stocks for critical periods. Clear quality specifications, third‑party testing, and regular supplier audits help ensure product consistency, while currency hedging reduces financial exposure.
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