India’s edible oil imports increased 3.27% to 151.64 lakh tonnes during November–September 2025–26, compared with 146.83 lakh tonnes a year earlier, driven by higher palm oil shipments. Palm oil imports rose 5.32% to 73.52 lakh tonnes, while soybean oil imports increased 3.25% to 51.76 lakh tonnes. Sunflower oil imports declined 1.90% to 26.24 lakh tonnes. Refined edible oil imports fell to 7.40 lakh tonnes, while crude oil imports climbed to 144.23 lakh tonnes. September prices rose 9.7–11.2% year-on-year across major edible oils, while rupee depreciation of approximately 8.1% increased import costs.

Key Highlights

•    India’s edible oil imports increased 3.27% to 151.64 lakh tonnes during November–September 2025–26.

•    Palm oil imports rose 5.32% to 73.52 lakh tonnes, supported by higher crude palm oil shipments.

•    Soybean oil imports increased 3.25% to 51.76 lakh tonnes, while sunflower oil imports declined 1.90%.

•    Refined edible oil imports fell to 7.40 lakh tonnes from 16.89 lakh tonnes, while crude imports reached 144.23 lakh tonnes.

•    September edible oil prices rose 9.7–11.2% year-on-year as the rupee depreciated approximately 8.1% against the dollar.

Edible oil prices in September 2026 recorded significant year-on-year increases, reflecting higher international prices alongside rupee depreciation. RBD palmolein prices rose 9.7% from $1,119 to $1,228 per tonne, while crude palm oil increased 10.4% from $1,164 to $1,285 per tonne. Crude soybean oil prices climbed 11.2% to $1,314 per tonne, and crude sunflower oil rose 10.8% to $1,432 per tonne. Meanwhile, the rupee weakened from ?88.32 to ?95.51 per US dollar, depreciating approximately 8.1% and adding to the cost of imported oils.

Higher palm oil shipments supported India’s edible oil imports, which increased 3.27% to 151.64 lakh tonnes during November–September 2025–26, compared with 146.83 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of 2024–25. Palm oil imports, including crude palm oil and RBD palmolein, rose 5.32% to 73.52 lakh tonnes. Soybean oil imports increased 3.25% to 51.76 lakh tonnes, while sunflower oil imports declined 1.90% to 26.24 lakh tonnes.

A significant shift occurred from refined to crude oil imports. Refined edible oil imports fell to 7.40 lakh tonnes from 16.89 lakh tonnes, reducing their share of total imports from 12% to 5%. Crude edible oil imports increased to 144.23 lakh tonnes from 129.93 lakh tonnes, mainly as crude palm oil replaced refined palmolein imports.

Argentina remained India’s largest edible oil supplier, exporting 34.43 lakh tonnes, including 27.14 lakh tonnes of crude soybean oil and 7.29 lakh tonnes of sunflower oil. Malaysia supplied 29.76 lakh tonnes of palm oil, while Indonesia exported 29.05 lakh tonnes. Nepal also exported 6.82 lakh tonnes of refined oils to India, including 6.05 lakh tonnes of refined soybean oil, benefiting from zero import duty under SAFTA provisions.

Higher import volumes, rising international prices and rupee depreciation are increasing India’s edible oil import costs, while the shift toward crude oils reshapes sourcing patterns.

Source: Investing.com

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