03/05/2012 (Business Recorder) - European vegetable oil prices mostly eased on Wednesday on fears the slowing economy could lead to reduced demand and expectations for higher palm oil production in April.

*"Currently it is a bit of a tug of war between fears for smaller stocks and increased demand, against a gloomy economic outlook, which could lead to reduced demand," one broker said.

* At 1630 GMT CBOT soyoil futures were between 0.03 and 0.05 cents per lb up on expectations of good Chinese demand for soybeans.

* Liquid oils - soyoil, rapeoil and sunoil - were offered between 2 and 5 euros per tonne down from Monday in thin trade, and buyers showed little interest at the current strong levels. No deals were reported.

* Palm oil was offered between $5 a tonne down and $5 up after Malaysian palm oil futures closed down between 9 and 27 ringgit per tonne on expectations that improved production could lead to larger Malaysian palm oil stocks.

* June delivery RBD palm olein changed hands at $1,162.50 a tonne fob Malaysia, while July/Sept traded from $1,155 up to $1,165 and back to $1,160, and Oct/Dec fetched $1,140 and $1,145 fob.

* Crude palm oil changed hands at $1,170 a tonne cif Rotterdam for May shipment.

* Lauric oils were offered between $20 and $35 a tonne down from Monday mostly following the trend in rival palm oil futures with sellers in vain trying to attract buying interest. No business was seen.