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Informist, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026

 

By Taniva Singha Roy

 

MUMBAI – India's palm oil imports in January are estimated to have risen to a four-month high of 768,000 tonnes, up by a whopping 179% on year and 51% on month, according to GGN Research and Patanjali Vice President Aashish Acharya. Total edible oil imports in January are estimated at 1.31 million tonnes, up 22% on year, according to both GGN Research and Patanjali Foods. 

 

However, edible oil imports in January are estimated to decline 4% on month due to lower imports of sunflower oil and soyoil. India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and imports soyoil and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.

 

India imported 1.36 million tonnes of edible oil in December, with total vegetable oil imports at 1.38 million tonnes, according to data from The Solvent Extractors' Association of India. In Nov-Dec, total vegetable oil imports were at 2.57 million tonnes, down from 2.93 million tonnes a year ago, the association said.

 

Imports of soyoil and sunflower oil are expected to fall in January. "Soyoil imports declined to the lowest since June 2024," Rajesh Patel, managing partner at GGN Research, told Informist. Soyoil imports in January are estimated at 279,000 tonnes, down 45% on month and 37% on year. Sunflower oil imports during the month are estimated at 266,000 tonnes, down 24% on month and 8% on year, according to trade sources. 

 

As of Feb. 1, vessels carrying a total of 330,000 tonnes of edible oil were in line to arrive or discharge at Indian ports in the next few days. Of the total, 175,000 tonnes are palm oil, 130,000 tonnes soyoil, and 25,000 tonnes sunflower oil, according to GGN Research.

 

In January, India's import of edible oils from Nepal may be around 75,000 tonnes, which is not included in the total import figures. Nepal's edible oils imports through Indian ports in January are estimated at 108,000 tonnes, comprising 88,000 tonnes of soyoil, 8,000 tonnes of palm oil and 12,000 tonnes of sunflower oil, GGN Research said.  End

 

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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