India’s edible oil imports hit a 7-month low in November

According to trade and industry sources, India’s total edible oil imports likely fell to a seven-month low due to lower imports of soybean and sunflower oils.

Leading market participants surveyed by Informist estimate that edible oil imports in November will amount to 1.12-1.17 million tonnes, down 25-28% from a year earlier.

According to the Edible Oils Association of India (SEA), the country imported 1.3 million tonnes of oils in October. Total vegetable oil imports in 2024/25 totaled 16.4 million tonnes, up from 16.2 million tonnes a year earlier.

A decline in oil imports, primarily soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower, led to an overall decline in edible oil supplies in November, although palm oil imports increased compared to the previous month, according to market participants. It was previously reported that India is favoring palm oil over other oils amid low prices.

Soybean and sunflower oil prices are significantly higher than palm oil, which is why palm oil imports were higher in November. Sunflower harvests in Ukraine and Russia will be lower this year, which will support sunflower oil prices, said Rahul Chauhan, Director of IGrain India Pvt. Ltd.

Despite the short-term increase in tropical oil purchases, year-on-year, “India’s palm oil imports in November are estimated to have fallen by almost 26% year-on-year to 624,000 tonnes, as palm oil was more expensive than its alternative, soybean oil, earlier this year,” said Sandeep Bajoria, CEO of Sunvin Group.

It was previously reported that India’s palm oil imports in November rose to 630,000 tonnes, up 4.6% from October. Meanwhile, soybean oil imports fell by 12% to 400,000 tons, while sunflower oil imports fell by 44%, reaching a two-year low of 145,000 tons.

Tags: India, palm oil, edible oils, sunflower oil, soybean oil