India’s Edible Oil Imports Rise 6.7% In May On Higher Soybean Shipments: SEA

New Delhi, Jun 13 (KNN) India’s edible oil imports rose 6.7 percent year-on-year to nearly 13.39 lakh tonnes in May 2026, driven largely by higher shipments of crude soybean oil, according to data released by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) on Friday.

Edible Oil Imports Rise On Higher Soybean Shipments 

Total imports of edible oils stood at 1,338,936 tonnes, up from 1,254,883 tonnes in the same month last year. The increase was led by crude soybean oil imports, which rose sharply to 4,93,854 tonnes from 3,98,585 tonnes a year earlier, reported PTI.

Imports of non-edible oils also more than doubled to 26,202 tonnes during the month, compared with 12,040 tonnes in May 2025. As a result, overall vegetable oil imports (edible and non-edible) increased 8 percent to 13.65 lakh tonnes, against 12.67 lakh tonnes a year ago.

For the November 2025–May 2026 period, total vegetable oil imports rose 12 percent to 93.65 lakh tonnes, while edible oil imports increased 13 percent to 92.17 lakh tonnes, SEA data showed.

Price Competitiveness Drives Shift In Import Mix

SEA attributed the rise in soybean oil imports to improved price competitiveness as its premium over palm oil narrowed during the period. 

It also noted policy-driven shifts in trade flows following adjustments in tariff values, including higher values for crude palm oil and a marginal reduction for crude soybean oil effective June 1.

Sharp Decline In Refined Oil Imports

No imports of RBD palmolein were recorded in May 2026, with cumulative imports falling sharply to 47,270 tonnes during November–May from 8.26 lakh tonnes a year earlier.

SEA said the trend reflects policy measures encouraging crude oil imports over refined oils, supporting domestic refining activity and value addition. It also noted continued inflows of refined oils from Nepal under SAFTA provisions.

(KNN Bureau)