The trend of decline in import of edible oils continues in April as well
15-May-2025 01:51 PM
Mumbai. According to the latest monthly report by the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), the import of edible oils into the country continued to decline in April 2025. During this month, a total of 8,62,558 tonnes of edible oil was imported, including 75,962 tonnes of refined oil and 7,86,596 tonnes of crude oil.
In comparison, the country had imported 9,70,602 tonnes of edible oil in March and 8,85,561 tonnes in February. Between November 2024 and January 2025, monthly imports had consistently crossed the 10 lakh tonne mark.
This downward trend over the past three months brought the total import of edible oils during the first half of the current marketing year (November 2024 to April 2025) to 65,02,235 tonnes—significantly lower than the 70,69,641 tonnes imported during the same period in the 2023–24 season. The primary reason behind this decline is a significant drop in palm oil imports.
During the review period, the import of refined edible oil (RBD palmolein) fell from 10.11 lakh tonnes to 7.39 lakh tonnes, while crude edible oil imports dropped from 60.59 lakh tonnes to 57.63 lakh tonnes.
This consistent dip in imports has led to a substantial reduction in the country’s stock of edible oils. As of May 1, 2025, total stock was 13.51 lakh tonnes, including 7 lakh tonnes at Indian ports and 6.51 lakh tonnes in transit or pipeline.
This is much lower than the 16.66 lakh tonnes recorded on April 1, 2025, and the 23.24 lakh tonnes stock on May 1, 2024. Palm oil imports in particular have remained limited since January 2025 due to high prices.
Interestingly, in November 2024, there was a 40 percent increase in vegetable oil imports compared to November 2023.
However, from December onwards, imports declined every month. April 2025 imports were 32 percent lower than those in April 2024, when 13,04,409 tonnes were imported.
In April 2025, the country imported 3,21,446 tonnes of palm oil, 3,60,984 tonnes of soybean oil, and 1,80,128 tonnes of sunflower oil.
During the six-month period from November 2024 to April 2025, total edible oil imports reached 65,02,235 tonnes,
with palm oils contributing 27.37 lakh tonnes and soft oils accounting for a higher 37.65 lakh tonnes. Under soft oils, 22,72,404 tonnes of soybean oil and 14,92,829 tonnes of sunflower oil were imported.