The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed with a decrease on Friday, mirroring the decline in soybean oil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). Despite strong March export numbers and a larger production loss in February, palm oil was pushed to trade lower to maintain its discount against competitors. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board reported a 6.56% decrease in the country’s total palm oil stocks in February. Buying activities from export destinations like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United States, the Middle East, and Africa were subdued, and there are concerns about potential weaker demand in the future.