THE oil palm market is straining in line with crude oil prices, following the dramatic decrease last year. In 2008, CPO prices hit the highest-ever record price of US$1,395 per ton, but then dropped to their lowest level of US$450 per ton because of the global crisis. Rising crude oil prices have however now helped bring crude palm oil (CPO) prices back up to US$758 per ton.

In addition to following the increase in crude oil prices, the improvem