Edible oil imports are expected to reach 17 million tons in the current season

11-Feb-2026 01:27 PM

Kuala Lumpur. Expressing the possibility that India's total production of edible oils from domestic sources will remain stagnant at 9.6 million tons in the 2025-26 marketing season, a leading industry body, the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IBPA), has estimated that imports of foreign edible oils will increase to 16.7 million tons.

Addressing a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the association's president stated that India's significant demand for edible oils in foreign markets will remain high, and approximately 60 percent of domestic edible oil demand and needs will need to be met through imports.

Another analyst believes that if import duties on US soybean oil are reduced or eliminated, India's total edible oil imports could increase to around 17 million tons.

According to the association's president, the global market price of edible oils is highly volatile due to various reasons. Its use in biofuel production is rapidly increasing, complicating its supply and availability for edible purposes.

Market trends and conditions are shifting. Geopolitical pressures have altered traditional trade routes. Consequently, even minor changes in policies or customs duties make edible oil prices highly sensitive, impacting consumers.

India primarily imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, soybean oil from Argentina and Brazil, and sunflower oil from Russia and Ukraine. During the 2025-26 marketing season (November-October), India is expected to import 8-8.5 million tons of palm oil, 5-5.5 million tons of soybean oil, and 2.8-3 million tons of sunflower oil. Additionally, 200,000 tons of edible oil may be imported from Nepal.