05/08/04 - SINGAPORE (Dow Jones)--Asian cash palm oil prices werehigher Thursday, supported by gains in the futures market and buyinginterest from India and China, traders said.At 0910 GMT, the benchmark October crude palm oil contract on theBursa Malaysia Derivatives was trading at 1,440 ringgit ($1=MYR3.8) ametric ton, up MYR35 from Wednesday's settlement price.The presence of India and China - the world's leading consumers andimporters of palm oil - is supporting general market sentiment, traderssaid.Preparations for September's mid-Autumn festival encouraged China toenter the market.In India, the hot and dry weather in July triggered concerns that thecountry's oilseed production could fall this year. However, rains haverevived since last week and are expected to improve throughout August,according to government projections. This has slowed India's demand overthe past few days.However, India returned to the market Wednesday, boosting sentiment inboth the physical and futures markets, one trader said.Market participants are also awaiting the latest report that will beissued by private forecasting firm Palmis Management Bhd. Friday on itsestimates for Malaysian palm oil production, exports and stocks in July.The Palmis data is a prelude to official supply and demand figures,which are due to be issued by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Aug. 12.In the Malaysian cash market, CPO for August shipment was offered atMYR1,480 ringgit/ton, up MYR25 from Wednesday, delivered basis in SouthMalaysia.RBD palm olein for August shipment was offered at $425-427.50/ton, up$5-$7.50 from Wednesday.RBD palm oil for August shipment was at $415-$417.50/ton, up $5-$7.50from Wednesday.In Indonesia, RBD palm olein in Jakarta was offered at 4,250 rupiah($1=IDR9,170) a kilogram, up IDR25 from Wednesday.CPO in Medan was offered Thursday at IDR3,694/kg. CPO wasn't quotedWednesday.In other news, Indonesia sold 4,500 metric tons of crude palm oil at asemiweekly government auction Thursday, said an official from PTPerkebunan Nusantara, the agency that sells palm oil from state-runplantations.The official said the auction price was up IDR30/kg from the previousauction