Signs of decline in domestic consumption of edible oils and sugar

07-Jul-2025 11:43 AM

Mumbai. Consumption of edible oils and sugar has declined in the country over the past two to three months due to various factors such as weather conditions, price changes, increased awareness of physical fitness, and evolving food habits.

According to industry analysts, the government has been actively campaigning to reduce the intake of edible oil, sugar, and salt.

On International Yoga Day, June 21, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to reduce their edible oil consumption by 10 percent to stay fit.

Data from the industry and trade sectors show that India’s per capita annual consumption has reached 18 kg for edible oils and 20 kg for sugar.

These levels are not only higher than in most countries but also significantly exceed the World Health Organization’s recommendations, leading to a rise in obesity cases in the country.

During the four months from January to April 2025, the import of edible oils declined sharply compared to the same period last year. In May, imports dropped by 2.2 percent to 11.78 lakh tonnes, following a 32 percent decline in April.

In the sugar sector, the government had issued a domestic sale quota of 23 lakh tonnes for June 2025. However, only about 22 lakh tonnes were sold, leaving over one lakh tonnes unsold.

By comparison, the full quota of 25.50 lakh tonnes issued in June 2024 had been sold. Officials noted that final data on June sales will be available after July 20, once millers submit their sales reports.

The Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) noted that consumption generally falls during the summer months.

Rising temperatures from February lead to a natural decline in usage. Additionally, some companies have begun selling edible oils in smaller pack sizes, further impacting overall consumption. During the April–June 2025 quarter, sales volumes of several edible oil companies declined.