Argentina expands share of India’s edible oil market on record sunflower crop

Argentina is strengthening its position in India’s edible oil market and became the country’s largest supplier in the 2025/26 marketing year. In the first ten months of the season, India imported 3.059 mln tons of vegetable oils from Argentina, compared with 2.62 mln tons from Malaysia.

Argentina is already India’s largest supplier of soybean oil and its second-largest supplier of sunflower oil. Further trade growth is supported by strong Indian demand, as the country imports more than half of its vegetable oil requirements.

Higher exports are backed by a strong raw material base. USDA estimates Argentina’s 2025/26 soybean crop at 50 mln tons and sunflower seed production at a record 7 mln tons. Soybean oil exports could reach around 6.15 mln tons.

In 2026/27, Argentina is expected to expand sunflower production further, with planted area forecast to rise by around 14% to 3.3 mln ha. This creates additional potential to increase sunflower oil exports to the Indian market.

India’s recent reduction in import duties on vegetable oils provides an additional boost. Argentina expects lower duties to improve the competitiveness of its supplies and help it strengthen its position further in one of the world’s largest edible oil markets.

Tags: vegetable oils, India, sunseed, edible oil, Argentina