India’s edible oil imports are projected to average 1.5 million tons per month between July and October, a significant increase driven by dwindling domestic stocks ahead of the country’s major festival season.
The surge in buying activity is expected to intensify as local supplies tighten, forcing the world’s largest importer of vegetable oils to rely more heavily on external sources to meet peak consumer demand.
75 lakh crore ($21 billion), according to the Society of Edible Oils and Fats (SEA).
This anticipated spike in import volumes follows a sharp contraction in June, when India’s edible oil imports fell by 30% due to reduced shipments of palm and soybean oil.
The reversal in trade flow highlights the seasonal volatility inherent in the market, where short-term supply contractions can quickly give way to aggressive restocking campaigns.
For global traders, the shift signals a return to robust demand from a key buyer, potentially supporting prices for palm and soybean oil in the coming months.
The broader import bill for the 2025-26 marketing year is estimated to climb 9% to ₹1.75 lakh crore ($21 billion), according to the Society of Edible Oils and Fats (SEA).