The imports of palm oil rose 20.44% and stood at 9,31,637 tonnes in September taking price advantage over soft oils, compared to import of 7,73,497 tonnes palm oil in September 2016. As per data compiled by industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA), the country’s total vegetable oil imports increased by 9% and stood at 15,19,277 tonnes in September this year, compared to 13,99,993 tonnes in the year ago period.
Among palm oil products, import of RBD palmolein increased to 2.61 lakh tonnes (LT) in September this year from 2.05 LT in the year ago period. The shipment of CPO rose to 6.51 LT, as against 5.64 LT, while the import of crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) jumped 18,100 tonnes, from 3,498 tonnes in the said period.
Similarly, among soft oil, import of sunflower oil increased to 1.97 LT in September this year, from 1.03 LT in the year-ago period. However, the shipment of soyabean oil fell to 3.57 LT from 4.69 LT, while that of rapeseed - mustard oil shipments declined to 15,491 tonnes from 29,951 tonnes in the said period.