Edible Oil Import : India's edible oil imports declined marginally by 1.6 percent to 119.35 lakh tonnes in the first nine months (November-July) of marketing year 2023-24. However, during this period, the import of non-edible oils increased from 1,32,242 tonnes to 1,88,955 tonnes. More than 50 percent of India's edible oil demand is met through imports. Indonesia and Malaysia supply RBD palm olein and crude palm oil (CPO) to India. Crude soybean degummed oil is imported mainly from Argentina and Brazil.

How much refined and palm oil was imported

According to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), imports of cooking oils stood at 1,19,35,227 tonnes during the November 2023-July 2024 period, as against 1,21,22,711 tonnes in the same period of the marketing year 2022-23. The marketing year runs from November to October. More than 50 percent of India's edible oil demand is met through imports.

Total imports of vegetable oils (edible and non-edible oils) during the first nine months of the current oil year stood at 121.24 lakh tonnes, which was one percent lower than 122.55 lakh tonnes in the same period last year.

India imported 15,18,671 tonnes of refined edible oil in the first nine months of the oil year 2023-24, down seven percent from 16,40,960 tonnes imported during the same period of the previous oil year. Import of crude edible oils declined by one percent to 1,04,16,556 tonnes from 1,04,81,751 tonnes.

Total palm oil imports during the first nine months of the oil year 2023-24 declined by four percent to 68,45,097 tonnes as against 71,17,834 tonnes in the same period a year ago. In contrast, soft oil imports rose to 50,90,131 tonnes from 50,04,877 tonnes.

From which countries do we import more?

Indonesia and Malaysia are the major suppliers of RBD palm olein and crude palm oil (CPO) to India. While crude soybean degummed oil is imported mainly from Argentina and Brazil. While crude sunflower oil is imported from Russia, Romania, Ukraine, and Argentina.