India palm oil imports drop 19 percent to three-month low
India palm oil imports fell 19 percent in March to a three-month low as rising prices led refiners to reduce purchases. Total edible oil imports also declined.
India witnessed a significant 19% drop in palm oil imports during March, reaching a three-month low as a surge in tropical oil prices deterred domestic refiners. Data from the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) indicates that imports fell to 689,462 metric tons, the lowest level since December 2025 and down from 847,689 tons in February. This decline was largely attributed to a price rally linked to energy market trends, which prompted buyers to hold off on new purchases.
The decrease in imports may lead to a reduction in domestic inventories and potentially bolster local oilseed prices. As the world's leading importer of edible oils, the country may need to ramp up overseas procurement in the coming months to replenish its stocks. Total edible oil imports for March fell by over 9% to 1.17 million tons, the lowest volume recorded since April 2025.
