Vegetable Oil

India's vegetable oil imports flat at 16.3 million tonnes in 2024-25: SEA

India's vegetable oil imports were unchanged at 16.3 million tonnes in the 2024-25 marketing year that ended in October, matching the previous year's level, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said on Thursday. The imports included 1.33 million tonnes of edible oils and 4,625 tonnes of non-edible oils in October, down 9 per cent from 1.46 million tonnes a year earlier, the industry body said. Soybean oil imports hit a record 5.47 million tonnes in 2024-25, surpassing the previous high of 4.23 million tonnes set in 2015-16, SEA said. Palm oil imports fell sharply to 7.58 million tonnes from 9.02 million tonnes a year earlier, while soft oil imports jumped to 8.43 million tonnes from 6.95 million tonnes, driven by higher soybean oil purchases. Palm oil's share of total imports dropped to 47 per cent from 56 per cent, while soft oils' share rose to 53 per cent from 44 per cent, the data showed. The government in May widened the import duty gap between crude and refined

Vegetable oils body IVPA urges govt to lift GST refund restrictions

Vegetable oil industry body IVPA has urged the government to lift restrictions on tax credit refunds in place since July 2022, saying the curbs are straining working capital and deterring investment in the sector. The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers' Association (IVPA) said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council's restriction on refunds of accumulated Input Tax Credit (ITC) under the inverted duty structure was causing cash flow problems, particularly for small and medium enterprises. Under the current system, edible oil attracts 5 per cent GST while input materials such as packaging, chemicals and processing materials are taxed at 12-18 per cent, leading to substantial accumulation of unutilised tax credits. "With refunds blocked, companies face working capital shortages and disrupted cash flows, making operations less viable, especially for MSMEs and domestic manufacturers," the IVPA said in a statement. The association said that higher costs due to unrecovered tax credits are

Govt notifies new rules to tighten oversight in vegetable oil sector

The government has notified a new framework for the edible oil industry, imposing stricter registration and reporting requirements on producers to enhance transparency and oversight, according to an official release. The 2025 Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (VOPPA) Regulation Order, notified on August 1 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, amends the Vegetable Oil Products Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011, under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Under the new framework, producers will face stricter registration and reporting requirements. They must apply for registration certificates through the Directorate of Sugar and Vegetable Oils in New Delhi, providing details such as factory location and production capacity as outlined in Schedule-I. The amended order mandates monthly reports by the 15th of each month, detailing oil usage, production, sales and stocks to ensure better supply chain tracking a

India buys record soyoil from China as prices fall below South America

India has imported a record 150,000 tonnes of soyoil from China, driven by steep discounts and faster shipping, as Chinese crushers seek to clear excess stock amid slowing domestic demand

Vegetable oil imports flat in June despite tariff cut boost to crude oils

India's vegetable oil imports remained flat at 15.49 lakh tonnes in June compared to the same month last year, even as shipments of crude edible oils surged more than 25 per cent, industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) said on Monday. The rise in crude oil shipments came after the government reduced the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on crude edible oils, including crude palm oil, crude soybean oil, and crude sunflower oil, to 10 per cent from 20 per cent, effective May 31. Total vegetable oils, comprising both edible and non-edible oils, stood at 15.50 lakh tonnes in June 2024. In the edible oil category, barring crude sunflower oils, imports of other crude edible oil variants rose 25.64 per cent to 11.51 lakh tonnes in June from 9.16 lakh tonnes a year earlier. However, crude sunflower oil shipments declined 53.58 per cent to 2.61 lakh tonnes in June from the year-ago period. According to SEA data, crude palm oil (CPO) imports rose 23.55 per cent to 7.88 lakh tonnes in Jun

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

India's vegetable oil imports dip 32% in April on lower palm oil demand

India's vegetable oil imports fell 32 per cent to 8.91 lakh tonnes in April from a year earlier, industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) said on Wednesday, as shipments of both palm and refined oils declined. Vegetable oil imports, comprising edible and non-edible oils, stood at 13.18 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. "The import in the last three months was at a very low level due to reduced demand for palm oil coupled with increased crushing of mustard in the country," SEA said in a statement. Import of refined edible oils from Nepal, estimated at 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes monthly, also affected overall imports and stock positions, it added. For the first six months of the 2024-25 oil year (November-October), total vegetable oil imports decreased to 65.02 lakh tonnes, from 70.69 lakh tonnes a year earlier. Palm oil imports plunged 53 per cent to 3.21 lakh tonnes in April, from 6.84 lakh tonnes a year ago, with crude palm oil shipments down 55 per cent to 2.41 lakh ...

India's vegetable oil stocks drop to three-year low on lower palm imports

Depleted stocks could force the world's biggest buyer of vegetable oils to increase imports of palm oil and soyoil in the coming months, supporting Malaysian palm oil prices and US soyoil futures

Govt may raise vegetable oil import taxes again to support local farmers

The government would take into account the impact of the decision on food inflation, said another government source who also did not wish to be identified, citing official rules

India-Liberia review bilateral ties, plan next round of talks in New Delhi

During the visit, Mude also called on Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President and Louise M Kpoto, Minister of Health and Social Welfare amongst other ministers

Edible oil import up 39% in Nov on higher shipment of crude oils: SEA

India's edible oil import rose 38.5 per cent to 15.9 lakh tonne in November mainly due to sharp jump in shipments of crude sunflower oil and crude soyabean oil, according to industry data. On Thursday, Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) released the data of import of vegetable oil (edible and non-edible ) for November. As per the data, import of vegetable oils during November, the first month of the 2024-25 oil marketing year, rose 40 per cent to 16,27,642 tonne compared to 11,60,590 tonne a year ago. Out of total vegetable oil import, India imported 15,90,301 tonne of edible oil in November as against 11,48,092 tonne in the same month last year. Import of non-edible oils increased to 37,341 tonne compared to 12,498 tonne in November 2023. Oil marketing year runs from November to October. In edible oil category, the import of RBD palmolein during November 2024 increased to 2,84,537 tonne compared to 1,71,069 tonne in the year-ago period. Import of crude sunflower oil

India's veg oil imports likely to decline further in 2024-25, says SEA

Weather has been favourable for Indian crops this year, resulting in higher production of soybean and ground nuts, Mehta said, adding that rapeseed output was also expected to rise

Vegetable oil imports up 18% at 1.55 million tonnes in June: SEA data

Import of vegetable oils, comprising edible and non-edible oils, rose 18 per cent in June to 15.5 lakh tonnes on higher imports of crude palm oil and crude sunflower oil, according to trade data. Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) data showed that import of vegetable oils during June 2024 stood at 15,50,659 tonnes compared to 13,14,476 tonnes in the year-ago period. Edible oils import increased in June to 15,27,481 tonnes from 13,11,576 tonnes in the same month last year. However, the imports of non-edible oils jumped to 23,178 tonnes from 2,300 tonnes during the period under review. During the first eight months of 2023-24 oil year ending October, the imports of vegetable oils fell 2 per cent to 1,02,29,106 tonnes compared to 1,04,83,120 tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year. SEA data showed that imports of refined oil declined 2 per cent to 13,81,818 tonnes during November 2023-June 2024 period of 2023-24 oil year from 14,03,581 tonnes in the ...

Govt grants duty concessions for corn, vegetable oil imports under TRQ

India is the world's biggest importer of vegetable oils such as palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil and the top producer of milk

Vegetable oil imports dwindle 13% in Feb to 975,000 tonnes, says SEA

India's vegetable oils import fell 13 per cent year-on-year in February to nearly 9.75 lakh tonne, according to industry data. In a statement on Wednesday, Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said the import of vegetable oils (comprising edible oils and non-edible oils) during February stood at 9,74,85 tonne as compared to 11,14,481 tonne in the year-ago period. Out of the total imports, the edible oil shipments fell to 9,67,852 tonne last month from 10,98,475 tonne in February 2023. Non-edible oils imports too fell to 7,000 tonne from 16,006 tonne in the year-ago period. During November 2023-February 2024 period, the overall import of vegetable oils declined 21 per cent to 46,47,963 tonne from 58,87,900 tonne in the corresponding period of the previous oil year. Oil marketing year runs from November to October. Edible oils import fell to 46,15,551 tonne during the first four months of 2023-24 oil year from 58,44,765 tonne in the year-ago period. Non-edible oils impor

India sees 28% fall in vegetable oil imports to 1.2 mn tonnes in Jan: SEA

The country's vegetable oil imports declined by 28 per cent to 12 lakh tonnes in January from a year-ago period, industry body SEA said on Monday. Vegetable oil imports stood at 16.61 lakh tonnes in January 2023. India is a leading vegetable oil buyer in the world. In the first quarter (November-January) of the current oil year, total imports dropped 23 per cent to 36.73 lakh tonnes as against 47.73 lakh tonnes in the same quarter of previous year. According to the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), about 7,82,983 tonnes of palm oil and 4,08,938 tonnes of soft oil were imported in January this year out of total vegetables oils. As on February 1, total edible oils stock stood at 26.49 lakh tonnes, down 7.64 per cent from that of the year-ago period, it said in a statement. SEA said prices of edible oils, which are currently low, may go up this year on lower production, global economic issues and supply constraints. The availability of palm oil for edible oil requireme

Govt seeks to boost oilseed output to cut expensive vegetable oil imports

India, the world's biggest vegetable oil importer, spent a record $20.8 billion on its edible oil purchases in the fiscal year to March 2023

Palm oil rebounds on robust Indian demand and stronger crude prices

India's palm oil imports in December rose to their highest in four months as purchases of refined palmolein surged because of competitive prices

India's vegetable oil imports up 16% at 16.71 mn tonnes in 2022-23 oil year

India's vegetable oils import rose 16 per cent to 167.1 lakh tonnes in the current oil year that ended in October 2023, driven by lower duty on certain edible oils, industry body SEA said on Monday. The country had imported 144.1 lakh tonnes of vegetable oils in the previous 2021-22 oil year (November-October). Out of the total vegetable oils, much of the imports were edible oils at 164.7 lakh tonnes, while non-edible oils were only 2.4 lakh tonnes during 2022-23 oil year. India is a leading vegetable oil buyer in the world. According to Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), "Import of edible oils during the 2022-23 oil year has surged to 164.7 lakh tonnes. This increase of 24.4 lakh tonnes from previous year is driven by the current low of 5.5 per cent duty on crude palm oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil." This influx of imports has transformed India into a prime destination for excess oil supplies, it said in a statement. Notably, RBD Palmolein imports ..