March 1, 2003	Saturday	Zul Hijjah 27, 1423

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28: Malaysia’s crude palm oil futures fell across the board on Friday, hit by India’s decision to leave customs duties of edible oil unchanged in its budget, and poor exports, traders said.

At the close, the benchmark third-month May futures was 11 ringgit lower at 1,594 ringgit ($419.47) a ton after trading as low as 1,589 ringgit — just above the key support of 1,587 ringgit.

Overall volume was heavy at 5,488 lots.

Earlier, cargo surveyor SGS said Malaysian palm oil exports for February stood at 731,215 tons, down from 873,901 tons for January.

In the physical market, the March/April contracts in both the southern region saw offers at 1,615 ringgit a ton against bids of 1,610 ringgit.

Deals were reported at 1,610, 1,612.50 to 1,615 ringgit a ton.

March/April contracts for the central region was offered at 1,612.50 ringgit a ton against bids of 1,610 ringgit. Deals were done at 1,610, 1,612.50 to 1,615 ringgit a ton.—Reuters