MUMBAI: India’s palm oil imports in March dropped nearly 19 percent on-month and hit a three-month low after a rally in tropical oil prices, in line with energy markets, prompted refiners to hold back purchases, a trade body said on Monday.
Lower imports could deplete stocks and support local oilseed prices, but may force the world’s biggest edible oil importer to step up overseas buying in the coming months to replenish stocks.
India’s palm oil imports in March fell to 689,462 metric tons, the lowest since December 2025, down from 847,689 tons in February, the Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) said in a statement. Imports of soyoil dropped 4 percent to 287,220 tons, while those of sunflower oil were up about 35 percent at 196,486 tons, the SEA said.
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