India experienced a significant increase in edible oil imports in September 2025, totaling 16.04 lakh tonnes (lt), a rise of 51% compared to 10.64 lt in September 2024, as reported by the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). The surge is mainly attributed to higher imports of crude palm oil (CPO), soybean oil, and sunflower oil. Notably, imports of RBD palmolein came to a halt due to a substantial duty difference in favor of CPO.
Data indicates that India imported 8.24 lt of CPO in September 2025, up from 4.32 lt in September 2024. Soybean oil imports also increased to 5.03 lt from 3.84 lt, while sunflower oil imports rose to 2.72 lt from 1.52 lt during the same period. In contrast, the total edible oil imports saw a slight decline from 16.21 lt in August 2025.
BV Mehta, Executive Director of SEA, highlighted that the Indian government’s decision to raise the duty differential between CPO and RBD palmolein from 8.25% to 19.25% effective May 31, 2025, rendered the import of refined palm oils uneconomical. This shift has not only discouraged imports of refined oils but has also revitalized the domestic refining industry. Consequently, September 2025 recorded no imports of refined oils, contrasting with the 84,279 tonnes imported in September 2024. Mehta described the government’s move as a timely strategy to bolster domestic manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative while also creating job opportunities.
Despite the rise in imports for September, overall edible oil imports decreased by 3.8% in the first 11 months of the oil year 2024-25 (November-October), reaching 139.82 lt compared to 145.35 lt in the same timeframe of the previous year, excluding imports from Nepal. Palm oil imports, including both CPO and RBD palmolein, fell to 69.60 lt from 81.69 lt in the same period, whereas imports of soft oils increased to 70.21 lt from 63.66 lt.
Soaring soybean oil imports were noted, with 43.93 lt imported between November and September 2024-25, compared to 30.98 lt the previous year. Conversely, sunflower oil imports dropped to 26.22 lt from 32.67 lt. The proportion of palm oil in total edible oil imports decreased to 50% in the first 11 months of 2024-25, down from 56%, while the share of soft oils increased to 50% from 44%.
Indonesia emerged as the primary exporter of CPO and RBD palmolein, supplying 26.52 lt and 8.30 lt, respectively, during November-September 2024-25, followed by Malaysia with 23.17 lt of CPO and 1.29 lt of RBD palmolein. Brazil, Argentina, the US, and Russia were significant exporters of crude soybean degummed and sunflower oils to India in the same period.
In terms of kharif crops, the oilseed acreage was reported at 190.13 lakh hectares (lh) as of October 3, reflecting a decrease of 10.62 lh from the previous year. Specifically, groundnut acreage was 48.36 lh, soybean at 120.45 lh, and cotton at 110.03 lh. The shift from soybean and cotton to maize, which saw an increase of 10.65 lh, contributed to this decline. Estimates suggest the soybean kharif crop for 2025 will be around 105 lt, down from 125.81 lt in the previous year. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Groundnut Crop Survey predicts groundnut production at 46.07 lt for the 2025-26 kharif season, an increase from 42.19 lt in 2024-25.
The developments outlined reflect ongoing adjustments in India’s edible oil import market, driven by policy changes and shifts in domestic crop production.
