India's Edible Oil Imports Soar: 60% Reliance on Foreign Markets, Prices Volatile

• India's domestic cooking oil production meets only 40% of its needs, with 60% imported.
• Imports are projected to reach 16.7 million tonnes by 2025–26, while production is 9.6 million tonnes.
• India imports palm oil from Indonesia/Malaysia, soybean oil from Argentina/Brazil, and sunflower oil from the Black Sea region.
• Global market volatility, geopolitical shifts, and trade policies significantly impact edible oil prices and supply.
• Reliance on imports makes India vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions, urging increased domestic oilseed production.