Bulk exports of edible oil unviable; groundnut oil may find some takers

If there is, however, a scarcity of edible oil in the country, the government might rethink its policy

Bulk export of edible oil is unviable for Indian exporters, as the country relies on imports to meet internal demand. Only a small quantity of groundnut oil can be exported.

The government last week removed the decades-old ban on export of bulk edible oils, except mustard oil. Earlier, it had allowed export of 100,000 tonnes of edible oil in small packets. The relaxation, however, is unlikely to benefit exporters much.

At present, India imports 9 million tonnes of crude palm oil annually for refining in local units or blending it with some other edible oils to make it cost effective.