India’s edible oil imports increased 5% to 136.20 lakh tonnes during the first ten months of the 2025-26 oil year (November 2025-August 2026), compared with 130.25 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous oil year, according to the latest industry data. Total vegetable oil imports, including edible and non-edible oils, rose 4% to 138.84 lakh tonnes from 133.37 lakh tonnes.
According to data released by The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA), edible oil imports in August 2026 stood at 15.72 lakh tonnes, marginally higher than 15.49 lakh tonnes in July. The increase was primarily driven by higher soybean oil imports. Crude soybean oil imports rose to 5.54 lakh tonnes in August from 3.67 lakh tonnes in July, while refined soybean oil imports increased to 74,000 tonnes from 62,000 tonnes.
Despite the higher cumulative imports, the composition of India’s edible oil imports has undergone a significant shift towards crude oils. During November 2025-August 2026, crude edible oil imports increased to 129.61 lakh tonnes from 113.88 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period, raising their share from 87% to 95%. In contrast, refined oil imports declined sharply to 6.59 lakh tonnes from 16.36 lakh tonnes, reducing their share from 13% to 5%. The decline was mainly attributed to negligible imports of refined palmolein from Indonesia and Malaysia.
The shift has been particularly visible in palm oil. Palm oil imports during the ten-month period rose to 65.34 lakh tonnes from 61.47 lakh tonnes, with its share increasing marginally to 48% from 47%. Soft oil imports, comprising soybean, sunflower, rapeseed and other oils, also increased to 70.86 lakh tonnes from 68.77 lakh tonnes, although their share declined to 52% from 53%. Higher soybean oil imports were the main factor behind the increase in soft oil imports.
Country-wise data shows Argentina as the largest supplier of edible oils during the period, with total shipments of about 30.59 lakh tonnes. This included 23.72 lakh tonnes of crude soybean oil and 6.87 lakh tonnes of crude sunflower oil. Malaysia supplied 26.21 lakh tonnes, mainly crude palm oil, while Indonesia supplied 25.68 lakh tonnes, also largely in crude palm oil. Russia supplied 12.28 lakh tonnes, predominantly crude sunflower oil.
Nepal has emerged as an important supplier of refined soybean oil to India. During November 2025-August 2026, Nepal exported 5.99 lakh tonnes of refined oils to India, including 5.32 lakh tonnes of refined soybean oil. Nepal primarily imports crude soybean oil, refines it and exports the refined product to India. Its exports enjoy nil import duty under the SAFTA agreement.
India’s edible oil stocks also remained relatively high. As of September 1, 2026, stocks at ports were provisionally estimated at 11.03 lakh tonnes, while pipeline stocks at factories, depots, distributors and retail levels stood at 9.40 lakh tonnes. Total stocks were therefore estimated at 20.43 lakh tonnes, up from 20.12 lakh tonnes on August 1, an increase of 31,000 tonnes.
Import costs, however, remain a concern for refiners and importers. In August, the average CIF price at Indian ports was US$1,215 per tonne for RBD palmolein, US$1,259 for crude palm oil, US$1,289 for crude soybean oil and US$1,496 for crude sunflower oil. Compared with August 2025, prices were higher by 10% for RBD palmolein, 9% for crude palm oil, 8% for soybean oil and 18% for crude sunflower oil. The report also noted that the Indian rupee had depreciated by more than 9% over the year, increasing the landed cost of imported edible oils.
Meanwhile, non-edible oil imports declined. Imports during November 2025-August 2026 stood at 2.64 lakh tonnes, down 16% from 3.13 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year.