Production
CS view: Slower production growth due to cutback in expansion plans, tree stress due to higher fertilizer cost.
Macq view: We expect Malaysian production to stagnate at 17.6m tonnes next year due to a decline in the yield cycle. For Indonesia, we expect a jump of 2mt; we also expect world production to increase by ~2.4mt. Further, if we assume consumption growth will slow to 2.5mt (vs 3.8mt previously) due mainly to the slowdown in biodiesel and oleochemical usage, we expect the stocks-to-usage ratio to potentially rise from last year's level. Post 2008, we expect CPO production growth to slow in 2008–09 to 2.4mt from 4.9mt in 2007–08 due to expected biological stress cycle on the trees after a record production year. Other industry sources such as Oil World expects palm oil production growth to slow to as little as 2mt next year.
JPM view: Oil World is forecasting global supply growth to moderate from 13% in 2008E to 6% in 2009E, just slightly below demand growth of 7% estimated for next year.
UBS view: Inventory remains persistently high because of weaker demand—we think demand will continue weak and therefore it will take longer for inventory to clear.
Demand
CS view: Global edible oils consumption has never contracted, even during global recessions, but the growth rate is normally lower than during boom times. Demand for edible oils increased by 2 mn to 4 mn tonnes per annum (t.p.a.) between 1980 and 2004. Between 2005 and 2008, edible oil demand grew 6 mn to 8 mn t.p.a., boosted by rising demand for biodiesel.
JPM view: Based on Oil World''s forecast, global palm oil demand growth is forecast to moderate from 10% in 2008E to 7% in 2009E, During the previous Asian crisis in 1998, global demand growth for palm oil still rose, but at a much slower rate of 3%.
UBS view: The significant cut in our assumptions is based on new lower global GDP growth and crude oil forecasts made by UBS on 30 October 2008. UBS's crude oil forecast for 2009 was lowered from US$105/barrel to US$60/barrel, a cut of 43% compared with our CPO price assumption cut of 31%. UBS also lowered global GDP growth from 2.2% to 1.3%.
Comments: If you look at too many indicators, you would end up being confused. Best to isolate a few that really matters. Predicting a price for CPO for the next 12 months is difficult and largely a moving target. On the way up, CPO price had a high correlation to oil price jumps - there is a strong involvement by hedge funds and commodity funds in ramping up long positions in all soft and hard commodities. On the way down, it looks like a positive correlation as well but that isn't really true because its a de-leveraging process. I believe oil price and CPO have decoupled and now trades on purer fundamentals of supply and demand. CPO price may see some volatility as producing nations try to bolster the supply-demand equation with new regulations.
To spot good entry levels, we need to monitor the monthly inventory levels. As at end Sep 08 the inventory was at a historic high of 2m tonnes, with a similar situation in Indonesia. Octo and Nov should see inventory rising further to 2.2m tonnes. Hence there is NO HURRY to go long on CPO stocks, you can and should trade them but not buy and hold yet. CPO should only start a genuine recovery trend when inventory reaches around 1.6m tonnes. As it gets closer to that level, you can start buying. Hence we may very well see RM1,300-1,400 for CPO as the bottom of the barrel.
The present discount gap between soy oil and CPO was at a staggering US$300, far from the average US$100 per tonne. Watch the spread closely, if it starts going below US$200, that is a sure sign that genuine buying has resumed. Right now end users are keeping a low buying inventory as they expect demand to be uncertain and CPO prices volatile with a downside bias. They can only keep a low inventory for so long.
The measure to blend 5% of palm biodiesel with diesel is a good move but MUST be properly thought out. The move is good because it takes 500,000 tonnes of CPO a year. It would be bad if its not a permanent strategy as that would hurt the biodiesel industry again. Has the government given sufficient consideration if CPO price were to be at RM3,000 again, would the 5% still make sense. Theoretically it should as with CPO at RM3,000, the price of oil should also be higher, maybe at US$110. But, what IF CPO price were to hit RM3,000 and oil stays at US$70... does it still make sense. If its to be a good long term strategy, I would make the ruling permanent. Stress test it with various combinations of both prices, and stick to it through thick and thin. Only then can investors and entrepreneurs invest properly into a viable and sustainable biodiesel industry, and valuations be properly accorded. Implement and then take away is not sound for business. Having said that, the policy will only take effect in 1Q2010, which will not play any part in the demand supply equation for the next 12 months.
I expect a high low of RM1,900-1,300 for the next 12 months, with a higher bias further down the road, and a bias towards the low end in the short term. That being the case, its pointless to look at P/BV or ROE. Just look at CAGR, PER and dividend yield going forward. Under those measures, the Malaysian CPO firms are not attractive compared to regional players in Singapore and Indonesia. Astra Agro and Golden Agri both looked much more attractive. Best among the locals are IOI Corp and Hap Seng Plantations.
p/s photo: Elanne Kong
5 comments:
with so many countries so aggressively planting it over the last few years...eventually we can fill a lake..forget abt biodiesel...if oil prices reach $40 per barrel..
Hi,
Wouldnt it make sense for the Govt to compell all palm oil mills to set aside 3% of production (abt 500,000mt/yr) for biodiesel production.
A mechanism can be worked out for the price of this 3% to be on cost plus basis, regardless of what CPO may actually be trading.
Then because 3% of production is taken off market, CPO prices will rise and hence mills (and plantations) are no worse off.
Biodiesel producers can then plan longer term, instead of presently, ramping up production when CPO is down or shutting down when it is up.
We need a comprehensive long term solution... otherwise we will have to fill swimming pools with CPO!
A local harvester became a planter and even traded in fertilizers. Everything went well until the prices dropped.
For someone who owns a few million ringgit in properties, he was caught holding some fertilizers bought at a higher price. Due to over-commitment he could not even pay the fertilizers bought at less than Rm100k. When pressed for payment, he told the suppliers 'you can either take them back or charge me interest on the amount owing'. If the CPO price continues to be low, he will have problem servicing his loans.
I have read of buyers in China not taking delivery of palm oil shipped there because they were bought at higher prices. Then we have harvesters forced to cut prices because oil mills refused to take in anymore, it being a buyers' market.
These are examples of the effects of economic slowdown. There is always a time lag before they are felt.
If CPO fall to 1300-1400, what would be profit margin for planter even with reduce fertilizer cost? CPO and crude oil still have close correlation, if crude oil fall US50-60, CPO likely to trade below RM1500.
Compared with CPO, crude oil have ability to cut production without incur high stockpile problem. To cut CPO production, cooperation among planter like IOI corp, KLK and asiatic are needed to delay or abolished their plan to expand palmoil in indonesia. To increase domestic consumption, more health awarness through education/advertisment to further introduce the benefit of refine palmoil as a better cooking oil, enrich with natural Vit E to narrow price gap with other soyaoil, corn oil, sunflower oil etc.
If palm oil is more widely used, the fall might not be that sharp as the stock level can be reduced to a much more comfortable level.
Short and long term strategies are required to explore the use of palm oil. Don't limit it to biodiesel alone. Think out of the box. It is not the commodities itself, but the technologies. Before the CPO price increase, one could prepare to have better technologies that can reduce the consumption of CPO.
If every production countries are co-operative enough, they could limit the export quota together like the rate cut. It will help to stabilise the CPO price.
My thought is more skewed towards the usage of CPO. Where is our R&D, we need to specialise at this area. Talk abt land size, we are limited. Think ahead and build a reputable R&D, perhaps with India, China or Japan.
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