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Sunflower oil duty cut to trigger imports surge
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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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India’s decision to slash the basic import duty on crude sunflower oil from 10 per cent to zero is expected to trigger a significant surge in imports, increasing nationwide shipments by 25 to 30 per cent, according to industry projections.
Shankar Thakkar, national president of the All-India Edible Oil Traders Federation, noted that total sunflower oil imports could rise to 35 lakh metric tonnes in the 2026–27 marketing year.
“The duty elimination is reshaping domestic demand patterns and pricing dynamics across the edible oil basket. Competitive pricing is projected to boost consumer demand for sunflower oil, shifting market share away from other popular cooking oils,” said Thakkar.
The influx of sunflower oil is expected to directly impact soybean oil imports, which are forecast to drop by nearly 10.7 per cent to around 50 lakh tonnes in the coming marketing year. Palm oil imports, meanwhile, are projected to hold steady at approximately 80 lakh tonnes.
Overall, India, which relies on imports for nearly two-thirds of its edible oil requirements, is expected to import between 1.65 crore and 1.70 crore tonnes of vegetable oils in 2026–27.
Thakkar highlighted global supply pressures, as Indonesia’s expanding biodiesel mandate, coupled with weather risks, could restrict palm oil availability and keep global prices elevated.
Trade leaders also voiced concern over domestic oilseed production due to adverse weather conditions.
A weak monsoon and El Nino impacts have impaired Kharif crops including soybean, groundnut, and cotton, across major growing states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Thakkar further added that uncertainty also looms over the upcoming Rabi mustard crop. Rajasthan, which accounts for nearly half of India’s rapeseed and mustard production, recorded a 22 per cent rainfall deficit during the monsoon season. And any shortfall in domestic oilseed yields will further increase the country's reliance on imported edible oils.
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