Vegetable oil import surges

The import of vegetable oils, including non-edible oils, in the first six months of the oil year 2004-2005 (October to April) is up by 21 per cent to 21,95,770 tonne compared with 18,15,630 tonne during the same period last year, according to information from the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA).

Edible oil imports in April have almost tripled to 5,21,145 tonne compared with 1,85,955 tonne in the year-ago month.

Crude import is, however, seen to be rising as it stands at 19,21,118 tonne, comprising 87 per cent of the imports during the six months from November 2004 to April 2005. Overall import of refined oil is reported at 2,74,652 tonne.

Palm oil products import has further declined to 14,27,920 tonne compared with 15,35,771 tonne. Import of soft oils, mainly soybean oil (7,35,352 tonne), increased to 767,850 tonne from 279,859 tonne during the period.

Non-edible oil imports in April 2005 are at 30,884 tonne compared with 17,765 tonne in the same period last year.

The total imports of non-edible oil during November 2004 to April 2005 is 1,44,559 tonne as against 1,17,486 tonne in April 2004. Crude Palm Stearin and Palm Fatty Acid Distillate are major non-edible oils being imported.