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India's Palm Oil Imports Surge 11% to Six-Month High
12 Mar
Summary
- India's palm oil imports reached an 11% increase in February.
- Refiners boosted palm oil purchases due to favorable discounts.
- Sunflower oil imports dropped significantly by 45% in February.
India's palm oil imports experienced an 11% increase in February, marking the highest volume since August 2025. This surge, reaching 847,689 metric tons, was driven by a significant price discount compared to alternative oils like soyoil, prompting refiners to enhance their purchases. Consequently, imports of sunflower oil saw a substantial decrease of about 45% during the same month.
The narrowing price gap between palm oil and soyoil is expected to cause a dip in palm oil imports for March. Soyoil imports, however, rose by 7% in February. These shifts in India's purchasing behavior could influence stock levels in major exporting nations like Indonesia and Malaysia.
Rising global vegetable oil prices and increased freight rates are contributing to Indian buyers' demand for immediate shipments. Concerns over potential disruptions to sunflower oil and soyoil deliveries, possibly linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict and its impact on Red Sea and Suez Canal routes, are also factors influencing procurement strategies.
