Edible Oil Market

India's edible oil imports rise 6.7% in May to 1.3 mn tonnes: Industry body

India's edible oil imports rose 6.7 per cent in May to nearly 13.39 lakh tonnes mainly due to increase in shipments of crude soyabean oil, according to industry body SEA. Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) on Friday released the May import data for vegetable oils, which comprises edible and non-edible oils. As per the data, edible oils imports increased to 1,338,936 tonnes in May this year from 1,254,883 tonnes in the same month last year. This was driven by imports of crude soyabean oil, which rose to 4,93,854 tonnes from 3,98,585 tonnes during the period under review. Inward shipments of non-edible oils jumped over twofold to 26,202 tonnes last month from 12,040 tonnes in May 2025. As a result, India's imports of vegetable oils (edible and non-edible) during May 2026 increased 8 per cent to 13.65 lakh tonnes as compared with 12.67 lakh tonnes in May 2025, the association said. During the first seven months of the 2025-26 oil year, SEA said the total vegetable oil imp

Govt mandates standard edible oil pack sizes for easier comparison

The Department of Consumer Affairs has prescribed standard pack sizes for edible oils under the Legal Metrology framework, a move aimed at helping consumers compare prices across brands and make informed purchasing decisions. The department has amended its Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for determination of net quantity and standard pack sizes of edible oils and fats, giving manufacturers, packers and importers a three-month transition period to comply with the new norms, an official statement said. The revised SoP prescribes nine standard pack sizes - 200 ml/g, 500 ml/g, 1 litre/kg, 2 litre/kg, 3 litre/kg, 4 litre/kg, 5 litre/kg, 15 litre/kg and 20 litre/kg-for major edible oils including palm, soybean, sunflower, mustard, groundnut, sesame, rice bran, cottonseed and corn oil, as well as blended edible oils. The decision follows extensive consultations with major edible oil industry associations representing nearly 90 per cent of the country's edible oil sector. Under the new

Govt moves to standardise edible oil pack sizes for price transparency

The government is preparing to introduce norms to standardize edible oil pack sizes, a move industry executives say could improve price transparency for consumers and create a more level playing field for manufacturers. The proposed measure is expected to address the growing prevalence of non-standard pack sizes, including 850 ml, 875 ml, 900 ml and 950 ml packs, which industry participants say can make it difficult for consumers to compare prices across brands and assess the true cost of products on a per-litre basis. The initiative comes amid a broader regulatory focus on consumer protection, transparent labelling and sustainable packaging practices. "We are pleased to note that the Government of India has taken cognizance of this important issue and is moving towards addressing non-standardized edible oil pack sizes," said Vivek Puri, Managing Director of Puri Oil Mills Ltd., promoter of the P Mark mustard oil brand. "For several years, we have consistently highlighted that ...

Why is govt considering return to standard sizes for edible oil packs?

The Centre is reviewing a return to standard edible oil pack sizes to make prices easier to compare and reduce confusion over varying quantities, a move industry says will improve transparency

As India's thirst for edible oil grows, curbing imports seems unworkable

India's edible oil demand continues to rise on the back of population growth and improving incomes, making import dependence difficult to curb unless domestic oilseed production rises sharply

Edible oil imports rise 3% in FY26 on Nepal duty-free surge: Industry body

India's edible oil imports rose 3 per cent to 166.51 lakh tonnes in the 2025-26 fiscal year, driven largely by a sharp jump in duty-free imports from Nepal, industry body Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said on Tuesday. Imports had stood at 161.82 lakh tonnes in the prior fiscal year. Nepal, which enjoys zero-duty access to Indian markets under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement, exported 7.36 lakh tonnes of edible oils to India during the year, more than double the 3.45 lakh tonnes shipped in the previous fiscal, a rise of 113 per cent. Refined soybean oil made up the bulk of Nepal's exports to India, with smaller volumes of sunflower oil, RBD Palmolein and rapeseed oil also traded. "The surge in duty-free imports of refined oils from Nepal substantially contributed to the increase in India's total edible oil imports during the year," SEA said in a statement. The association said that without the SAFTA arrangement, overall imports would likely have .

Systematix backs Patanjali Foods' strong sales, pricing edge; sees 36% gain

During a recent visit to its Haridwar facility, Patanjali Foods (PFL) management expressed cautious optimism, noting that the ongoing West Asia conflict has not affected spot edible oil prices

Edible oil rates rose by ₹1-4 per kg in the last week amid West Asia crisis

Retail edible oil prices begin to rise as global palm and soybean oil rates climb alongside crude oil amid the West Asia crisis

India's Q1 edible oil imports fall 2% on lower soybean, sunflower purchases

India's vegetable oil imports fell 2 per cent to 3.96 million tonnes in the first quarter of the 2025-26 oil year (November-October) from a year earlier, as lower soybean and sunflower oil purchases offset a rise in palm oil imports, industry data showed on Friday. The world's biggest vegetable oil importer bought 4.05 million tonnes, including edible and non-edible oils, in the same period a year ago, according to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA). Palm oil imports rose 18 per cent to 1.91 million tonnes in the November 2025-January 2026 quarter from 1.62 million tonnes a year earlier, the industry body said in a statement. Port stocks of palm oil stood at 4,86,000 tonnes on February 1, up 33,000 tonnes from the previous month. Crude soybean oil imports fell 9 per cent to 1.20 million tonnes from 1.27 million tonnes, while port stocks declined to 1,90,000 tonnes from 3,00,000 tonnes a month earlier. Crude sunflower oil imports dropped 15 per cent to 7,59,000 ton

India's edible oil output seen covering just 40% demand in 2025-26: IVPA

India's edible oil production is estimated at 9.6 million tonnes in 2025-26 marketing year, and it will have to import around 16.7 million tonnes of cooking oils to meet domestic demand, according to industry body IVPA. India imports soyabean oil mainly from Argentina and Brazil, while the country imports palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia. Of the total domestic demand, the country has to import about 60 per cent of the quantity. Addressing a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) President Sudhakar Desai noted that "global edible oil markets have entered a phase of structural volatility, driven by trade realignments, biofuel mandates and supply rigidity". In a statement on Monday, Desai, who is also the CEO of Emami Agrotech Ltd, said the geopolitical restructuring has altered global trade corridors. Speaking on a topic 'Navigating Structural Shifts in Global Edible Oils: Implications for India', he said, "Small adjustments in duties, ...

India cancels more South American soy oil imports as rupee slumps

About 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes of the commodity from Brazil and Argentina, booked for delivery in February and April-July period, have been scrapped, with total cancellations to exceed 50,000 tonnes

Edible oil imports up 22% to ₹1.61 trillion in 2024-25; volume flat: SEA

India imported 16 million tonnes of edible oils for nearly Rs 1.61 lakh crore during the 2024-25 marketing year ended October to meet domestic demand, according to industry body SEA. In the 2023-24 marketing year (November-October), India's edible oil imports stood at 15.96 million tonnes worth Rs 1.32 lakh crore, as per the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) data released on Thursday. The increase in edible oil imports in value terms was 22 per cent because of higher global prices. India imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia while the soyabean oil comes from Argentina and Brazil. "To bridge the gap between supply and demand, India has resorted to imports since 1990s. In the initial period, the import volume was very low. However, in the last 20 years (2004-05 to 2024-25), import volume has increased by 2.2 times while cost of import has gone up nearly 15 times," the association said. In 2024-25, India had to spend nearly Rs 1.61 lakh crore (USD 18.3 billion) in

India should have policy stability on edible oil import tariffs, says paper

The research used import duties on palm oil as the reference point, as it constitutes almost 60 per cent of India's annual edible oil imports

CACP suggests linking oilseeds MSP to oil content to ensure better returns

CACP has proposed oil-linked MSP for mustard and safflower to incentivise high-yield varieties, reduce edible oil imports, and improve farmers' returns

Sugar, salt and oil: Daily limits, health risks and expert guidance

Overconsumption of sugar, salt and oil often goes unnoticed but can cause serious health problems. Experts stress moderation and healthier food choices to protect your long-term well-being

India's ethanol drive threatens its edible oil self-sufficiency goal

A DDGS glut is hurting oilmeal demand, lowering oilseed prices, and driving Indian farmers to grow more corn and rice instead of soybeans and groundnuts, despite New Delhi's push to boost output

Centre plans to make registration mandatory for vegetable oil units

The government proposes mandatory registration for all vegetable oil producers under a new amendment to the Vegetable Oil Products, Production, and Availability Order of 2011

Govt seeks public input on draft order to regulate vegetable oil industry

The Union Food Ministry has drafted a new order to regulate vegetable oil products in India by introducing more modern, transparent, and technologically advanced regulatory provisions, with a stronger emphasis on stakeholder participation and adaptability to industry changes. The 2025 draft Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (VOPPA) Regulation Order seeks to replace the 2011 order, and the ministry has sought public comments on the same by July 11. The 2025 draft order emphasises enhanced monitoring with increased surveillance of edible oil imports, production, stocks, and sales, likely using digital tools for better transparency and control. The earlier order was based on the regulatory environment and technology available at that time, focusing on traditional production, stocking, and reporting methods. The draft aims to streamline registration and compliance, possibly introducing online systems and an updated reporting format. The earlier order required periodic

Landed prices of imported edible oils move up despite halving of duty

While exporters have raised prices to nullify duty cuts, concerns over the Israel-Iran conflict, and the expected global diversion of additional vegetable oil for biofuel blending schemes are factors

Kandla Port vows to ease vessel congestion for smooth edible oil imports

Gujarat's Kandla Port has pledged to address vessel congestion issues and ensure uninterrupted edible oil supplies, the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) said on Monday. The assurance came during a meeting between industry representatives and Kandla Port Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, aimed at resolving bottlenecks that have affected imports of palm oil and other edible oils. Singh outlined infrastructure improvements, including new 14-inch pipelines and preparations to handle edible oil at two additional berths with dedicated pipelines, the IVPA said in a statement. The port authority agreed to maintain its existing system of imposing penalty charges for delayed vessel discharges rather than moving ships to outer anchorage for re-berthing, which creates additional costs for importers, the association said. Singh emphasised the need for coordination between port officials and importers to minimise delays after vessels dock, and urged vessel agents to flag potential .