Edible oil import to rise in coming year

Another 1.2-1.3 mt of import in October would take the year's import to 15.5 mt, a record

India's dependence on imported edible oil is likely to increase to a record level during the coming oil year of 2017-18 (November-October). A decline in availability from domestic sources is expected, following lower oilseed availability and sustained increase in consumption.

Data compiled by the apex industry body, the Solvent Extractors' Association, shows vegetable oil (98 per cent edible and two per cent non-edible) import at 14.27 million tonnes for the 11-month period ended September 2017, compared with 13.57 mt in the corresponding period last year. Another 1.2-1.3 mt of import in October would take the year's import to 15.5 mt, a