Modi urges Indians to cut gold, fuel, edible oil buys for a year, favour Swadeshi

PM's consumption advisory lands mid-festive season, pressuring jewellery, fuel retail, FMCG and outbound travel categories. Gold imports hit $72B (+24%), edible oil $19.5B, with 10% cooking oil cut urged. OMCs bleeding Rs 30,000 cr/month as Brent nears $105.

— FiledMon, 11 May, 2026, 19:20 IST·First seen Thu, 14 May, 2026, 23:59 IST·Source Forbes India

What happened

Government of India · PM Modi urged Indians to curb gold, fuel, edible oil purchases and overseas travel for a year, and favour Swadeshi goods—a consumption

Key facts

  • $134.7 billion crude imports FY26
  • Brent ~$105/barrel
  • Rs 30,000 crore/month OMC losses
  • 80% oil imported
  • 99.2% rail electrification
  • $72 billion gold imports (+24%)
  • $19.5 billion edible oil imports FY26
  • 10% cooking oil cut urged
  • $14.5 billion fertiliser imports (+77%)

Why this matters

Accelerate sourcing diversification and local-supplier M&A in edible oils and jewellery inputs to hedge a multi-quarter consumption advisory that could harden into procurement policy.