KARACHI (April 01 2004): Pakistan's palm oil prices were stable over thepast week on ample stocks, and no major import orders were expected in thenear term as world prices remained high, dealers said on Wednesday.

"Importers are not interested in booking orders for refined oil becausesufficient stocks are available in the country," dealer Akbar Puri said.

Dealers said traders had more than 100,000 tonnes of unsold stock to meetdomestic demand and had made forward deals securing their positions untilthe end of April.

About 70,000 tonnes were being shipped to Pakistan, Puri said, adding thatthere was some demand for crude palm oil imports.

Another dealer said importers were waiting for world oils prices to slip.

Traders said palm olein was quoted at 1,970 rupees per mound (37.32 kg) onWednesday against 1,980 rupees a week ago.

Pakistan imports about 1.3 million tonnes of edible oil products annually,led by palm oil, mostly from Malaysia, to help meet domestic demand of 1.9million tonnes.