3/28/05China Palm Olein Seen Range-Bound Near-Term(Dow Jones)--RBD palm olein prices in China likely range-bound inshort-term; but higher prices possible in April, May when weathers becomeswarmer, says research house Shanghai Pansun. Weak demand limiting upsideroom for now, but downtrend in stocks due to slower arrival of freshcargoes providing support on downside. Stocks now estimated around 180,000tons. Palm olein in major Chinese ports quoted around CNY4,700-CNY4,850 atend of last week.

USD Strength May Hurt Vegoil Prices(Dow Jones)--US dollar continues to strengthen, which may be negativefor edible oil prices, traders say. EUR/USD at 1.290, off from over 1.348mid-March. Stronger dollar makes imports of dollar-denominated commoditieslike soyoil, palm oil less attractive for consumers like Europe, India.

US Palm Oil Demand Seen Up On Trans Fat Issue(Dow Jones)--U.S. palm oil demand on the rise due to concerns abouttrans fats found in hydrogenated soyoil, says Gerald McNeill, director ofresearch and development at Loders Croklaan. Adds that such demand mayrise further in second half of year as food companies switch to palm oilahead of January 2006 deadline for compulsory trans fat labeling. Size ofmarket where palm oil can potentially replace hydrogenated about 2.3million tons/year, he says.