Import of Vegetable Oils Increased by 4% from November 2024 to February 2025

11-Mar-2025 02:01 PM

Import of Vegetable Oils Increased by 4% from November 2024 to February 2025
★ The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) has compiled import data for vegetable oils (both edible and non-edible) for February 2025. Total imports during the month stood at 8.99 lakh tonnes, reflecting a 7% decline compared to 9.65 lakh tonnes in February 2024. This includes 8.85 lakh tonnes of edible oil and 14,004 tonnes of non-edible oil. This is the lowest monthly import since May 2020, when imports had dropped to 7.20 lakh tonnes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  
★ For the first four months of the oil year 2024-25 (November 2024 – February 2025), total vegetable oil imports reached 48.07 lakh tonnes, marking a 4% increase from 46.38 lakh tonnes during the same period last year. However, in February 2025, edible oil imports, particularly palm oil, fell to a four-month low due to refining disparities, prompting Indian importers to shift towards soft oils.  
★ As of March 1, 2025, the estimated stock of edible oils at various ports stood at 8.70 lakh tonnes, including 2.2 lakh tonnes of Crude Palm Oil (CPO), 1.30 lakh tonnes of RBD Palmolein, 2.50 lakh tonnes of Degummed Soybean Oil, and 2.70 lakh tonnes of Crude Sunflower Oil. Considering domestic production and consumption, pipeline stock was recorded at 10.04 lakh tonnes.  
★ On March 1, 2025, the total stock of edible oils was reported at 18.74 lakh tonnes, down from 21.76 lakh tonnes on February 1, 2025. This represents a decline of 3.02 lakh tonnes due to reduced imports in January and February 2025.