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New Delhi, August 13 — India experienced an 8 percent drop in edible oil imports in July, reaching 1.48 million tonnes, down from 1.62 million tonnes recorded in the same month of the previous year. This data was released by the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), a prominent industry body.
According to a statement issued by SEA on Thursday, the broader category of India's vegetable oil imports—encompassing both edible and non-edible varieties—also saw a year-on-year decrease of 7 percent in July 2026. Imports for this period amounted to 1.53 million tonnes, compared to 1.65 million tonnes imported in July of the previous year.
Despite the monthly decline, the cumulative vegetable oil imports for the first nine months of the 2025-26 oil year (spanning November 2025 to July 2026) showed an increase. Total imports reached 12.15 million tonnes, up from 11.60 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the preceding marketing year. Similarly, total edible oil imports during this nine-month timeframe rose by 5 percent, climbing to 11.92 million tonnes from 11.35 million tonnes in the equivalent period of the previous oil year.
The import composition also underwent a significant shift. SEA highlighted that the proportion of refined oils in the import basket sharply decreased to 4 percent, a notable fall from 14 percent. Conversely, the ratio of crude oil imports surged to 96 percent from 86 percent. This change is primarily attributed to a rise in the import of crude palm oil.
India sources palm oil predominantly from Malaysia and Indonesia, while its soybean oil requirements are met through imports from Argentina and Brazil. Approximately 60 percent of India's domestic edible oil demand is satisfied through these imports.
Source: Free Press Journal