India’s edible-oil imports rise 4.6% in first 10 months of 2025-26 oil year
Edible-oil imports reached 136.19 lakh tonnes in November-August, led by higher palm and soybean oil arrivals. Rising global prices and a more than 9% year-on-year rupee depreciation are increasing landed-cost pressure for importers, refiners and food retailers.
What happened
Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) · India's edible-oil imports rose 4.56% in the first 10 months of oil year 2025-26, led by palm and soybean oil.
Key facts
- Edible oil imports: 136.19 lakh tonnes, up 4.56% from 130.24 lakh tonnes
- Palm oil imports: 65.34 lakh tonnes versus 61.47 lakh tonnes
- Soybean oil imports: 45.61 lakh tonnes versus 44.64 lakh tonnes
- Sunflower oil imports: 25.15 lakh tonnes versus 24 lakh tonnes
- Crude edible-oil imports: 129.60 lakh tonnes versus 113.88 lakh tonnes
What changed
India's edible-oil imports rose 4.56% in the first 10 months of oil year 2025-26, led by palm and soybean oil. Higher crude-oil imports replaced refined palmolein, while rising global prices and rupee depreciation increased landed-cost pressure for importers and refiners.
Why this matters
Higher edible-oil imports and a weaker rupee are lifting input costs, increasing the need for tighter procurement, hedging and selective retail price pass-through.
What to watch
- Monthly landed-cost movement for palm, soybean and sunflower oil, including Malaysian and Indonesian export pricing.
- USD/INR movement; further rupee weakness would accelerate domestic price pass-through even if global oil prices stabilize.
- Government decisions on crude and refined edible-oil import duties, stock monitoring, and anti-hoarding enforcement.
- India's kharif and rabi oilseed crop estimates, monsoon conditions, and domestic mustard/soybean availability.
- Retail price gaps between national brands, regional brands and private-label edible oils.
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