India's edible oil imports hit 10-month high in July on festival demand

MUMBAI: India’s edible oil imports rose to their highest level in 10 months in July as refiners stepped up purchases of palm oil and soyoil to replenish inventories ahead of the festival season, a leading trade body said on Thursday.

Increased demand from the world’s biggest importer of vegetable oils could help top producers Indonesia, Malaysia and Argentina in bringing down stocks and support benchmark palm oil and soyoil futures.

Palm oil imports in July rose about 50% from the previous month to 730,965 metric tons, the highest in five months, the Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) said in a statement.

Imports of soyoil rose 31% to 498,881 tons, the highest in seven months, and sunflower oil imports were up about 4% to 251,639 tons, the SEA said.

Total edible oil imports rose 33.3% to 1.48 million tons, their highest since September 2025, the statement added.

India’s edible oil imports hit 10-month peak in July on higher palm buying, dealers say

The figures exclude duty-free shipments arriving via land from neighbouring Nepal, the SEA said.

Refiners are increasing purchases in anticipation of stronger demand as the festival season is approaching, said Mumbai-based Sandeep Bajoria, chief executive of Sunvin Group, a vegetable oil brokerage.

India will celebrate a series of festivals between August and November, when demand for edible oils typically peaks.

“Imports are likely to remain strong in August, with palm oil shipments potentially exceeding 700,000 tons,” Bajoria said.

India sources most of its palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, while soyoil and sunflower oil are imported mainly from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.