India’s edible oil imports decline 7% in September to 15.44 lakh tonnes, according to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). Outlets report that the decrease is linked mainly to a sharp drop in crude sunflower oil shipments, which fall to about 1.05 lakh tonnes from 2.72 lakh tonnes a year earlier.
Despite the September fall, total imports in the first 11 months of the 2025-26 oil year (November to October) rise 3% to 151.64 lakh tonnes, compared with 146.83 lakh tonnes in the same period of 2024-25. SEA data cited by multiple outlets show crude edible oil imports increase to 1,44,23,939 tonnes, taking a larger share of total edible oil imports (95% vs 88%), with higher crude palm oil shipments replacing some refined palmolein.
The reports also note that refined oil imports fall sharply over the period from November 2025 to September 2026, dropping to 7,40,441 tonnes from 16,89,228 tonnes a year earlier. As a result, refined oil’s share falls to 5% from 12%, with outlets pointing to negligible refined palmolein imports and a shift toward crude supplies.
