India soyoil imports seen at record high in 2025/26 on price
India's soyoil imports are likely to surge to a record 5.7 million tons in the 2025/26 marketing year, up 4.2% from last year, as rallies in rival palm and sunflower oils make soyoil more competitive for price-sensitive Indian buyers. Higher soyoil imports would offset a decline in sunflower oil shipments due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The country meets nearly two-thirds of its vegetable oil demand through imports.
7 million tons in current marketing year Prices of rival palm, sunflower oils driven up by supply concerns India meets nearly two-thirds of vegoil demand through imports By Rajendra Jadhav MUMBAI, Sept 21 (Reuters) — India's soyoil imports are likely to surge to a record high in the 2025/26 marketing year as rallies in rival palm and sunflower oils make soyoil more competitive for price-sensitive Indian buyers, industry officials told Reuters. Higher soyoil imports would offset a decline in sunflower oil shipments due to the Russia-Ukraine war and limit purchases of palm oil, which typically accounts for the bulk of India's edible oil imports, they said.
7 million metric tons in the current marketing year ending October 31, said Aashish Acharya, vice president at Patanjali Foods Ltd. "Soyoil was competitively priced compared with rival sunflower oil and palm oil supplies throughout the year," Acharya, whose company is a leading importer of edible oils, told Reuters. 85 million tons, he said. Higher Incomes Boosting Edible Oil Demand India meets nearly two-thirds of its vegetable oil demand through imports, mainly palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil from Malaysia, Indonesia, Argentina, Russia and Ukraine.
V. Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India. 55 million tons, Mehta said. "Rising per capita income is boosting edible oil demand, while domestic production remains stagnant.
This is leading to higher imports," Mehta said. Palm oil's share in India's total edible oil imports is set to fall below 50% for the second straight year in 2025/26, dealers with global trade houses said. com/Rajendra1857)