NEW DELHI: India is the world’s leading importer and consumer of edible oils in the world. Of the total 5.0-5.5 million tonne of vegetable oils imported by India annually, 1.3-1.5 million tonne is Soyabean Oil, imported mostly from Argentina, Brazil and the US, nearly 3 million tonne of Palm Oil is purchased from Malaysia and Indonesia.
China and India, though being producers themselves, import soyabean its derivatives to cater to their expanding consumer base. While China imports both bean and oil, India allows only imports of oil. Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Crude Palmolein, RBD (Refined, Bleached, Deodorised) Palm Oil, RBD Palmolein and Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO), Crude Soya Oil and Refined Soya Oil are the various edible forms of oil traded.
Soyabean Oil is the leading vegetable oil traded in the international markets, next only to palm. Palm and Soyabean Oils together constitute around 68% global edible oil traded volume, with Soyabean Oil constituting 22.85%.
Palm Oil imported into India is used in various forms – consumed directly as ‘palm oil’ after refining, used in the manufacture of Vanaspati, for blending with other vegetable oil, crude oil and kernel oil for industrial and other purposes. It is imported mainly through the ports of Kandla, Kolkata, Mangalore, Mundra, Mumbai, Chennai, Kakinada, and Cochin.
In 2014, there was surplus availability of cooking oils from Malaysia and Indonesia.
With an estimated CPO production of 19.5-19.7 mt in Malaysia and around 30.5 mt in Indonesia, a large.
