India’s edible oil imports are forecast to reach a record 16.5–17 million tonnes in 2025/26. Palm oil imports may rise to 9–9.3 million tonnes, soybean oil slightly above 5.5 million tonnes, while sunflower oil could drop to 2–2.5 million tonnes. Rising demand and competitive pricing drive the trend.
India, the world’s largest edible oil importer, is projected to see record imports of 16.5–17 million tonnes in 2025/26, up from 16 million tonnes last year, according to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). The surge reflects rising domestic demand and competitive global pricing.
Key Highlights
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Overall Imports: Expected to climb to a record 16.5–17 million tonnes, underscoring India’s reliance on overseas supplies.
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Palm Oil: Imports may rise sharply to 9–9.3 million tonnes, compared with 7.58 million tonnes last year, driven by competitive pricing from Indonesia and Malaysia.
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Soybean Oil: Imports could marginally exceed last year’s record of 5.5 million tonnes, maintaining strong demand.
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Sunflower Oil: Imports may fall significantly to 2–2.5 million tonnes, down from last year’s unusually high 20 million tonnes, reflecting tighter global supplies and higher prices.
Industry experts note that the rebound in palm oil imports will likely tighten stocks in producing countries and support global prices. Meanwhile, India’s edible oil dependency highlights the need for domestic production strategies to reduce import reliance.
Sources: The Hindu Business Line, Economic Times, NITI Aayog Report