India’s Vegetable Oil Imports Rise 13% To 7.94 Mn Tonnes In H1 2025–26 Oil Year: SEA

New Delhi, May 13 (KNN) India’s vegetable oil imports increased 13 per cent to 7.94 million tonnes during the first half (November–April) of the 2025–26 oil year (November–October), according to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA). 

The country had imported 7.04 million tonnes in the same period last year.

In value terms, imports rose 19 per cent to Rs 87,000 crore from Rs 73,000 crore in the corresponding November–April period a year earlier. 

Edible oils accounted for the bulk of shipments at 7.82 million tonnes, while non-edible oils totalled 121,000 tonnes, PTI reported, citing the industry body statement

The growth was largely driven by a sharp rise in palm oil shipments, which nearly doubled to 3.97 million tonnes from 2.74 million tonnes a year ago. 

At the same time, imports of soft oils—such as soybean and sunflower oil—declined to 3.85 million tonnes from 4.13 million tonnes.

Key Suppliers and Market Trends

Indonesia and Malaysia remained India’s primary suppliers of palm oil. Argentina and Brazil led soybean oil exports to India, while Russia and Ukraine were the main sources of sunflower oil.

Cooking oil prices have risen significantly over the past year, with palm oil prices increasing by 14–15 per cent, and soybean and sunflower oil prices rising between 17 per cent and 22 per cent compared to April 2025 levels.

Currency Impact and Regional Trade

The SEA noted that a depreciation of the Indian rupee by over 9.2 per cent against the US dollar has added to import costs, raising concerns for importers and refiners.

Nepal exported about 2.17 lakh tonnes of refined oils to India during the period, primarily soybean oil, along with smaller volumes of sunflower oil, palmolein and rapeseed oil.

Stock Levels Improve

Vegetable oil stocks rose to 2.12 million tonnes in May 2026 from 1.35 million tonnes a year earlier. Pipeline stocks have also shown a steady increase since December 2025, indicating improved supply availability heading into the second half of the oil year.

(KNN Bureau)