IVPA Delegation Urges Curb on Refined Oil Imports from SAFTA Countries

22-Apr-2025 05:40 PM

New Delhi. A delegation from the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IVPA), led by its President Sudhakar Desai, met with Union Ministers last week to raise concerns over the rising imports of refined edible oils from South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) countries, particularly Nepal.

The delegation urged the government to increase the import duty differential on refined oils coming from SAFTA nations.

Desai highlighted that large quantities of refined soybean oil are being imported from Nepal, harming Indian farmers and processors.

Though SAFTA allows duty-free imports, the condition is that goods must originate in the exporting country—a rule allegedly violated when Nepal re-exports imported oils.

The ministers assured the IVPA of their commitment to protecting the domestic edible oil industry and supporting the Make in India initiative. The delegation also included Bhavana Mayor and Amarendra Mishra.

The IVPA has proposed imposing high customs duties on refined edible oils or limiting their imports, arguing that India has enough capacity to refine oils domestically and should not rely on refined imports.