Imports of edible oil may rise to 13.90 MT by 2020

25 Mar 2013 Evaluate

In order to meet the rising domestic demand, the imports of edible oil in the country is estimated to surge 32.38% to 13.90 million tonne (MT) by 2020 as compared to 10.50 MT estimated in the ongoing 2012-13 marketing year ending October this year. In a presentation before the Agriculture Ministry on the overview and outlook of oilseeds sector this import estimate was given by the Solvent Extractors Association (SEA). India meets about 60% of its domestic demand through imports. The country imports palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia and soyabean oil from Brazil and Argentina.

On consumption side, the domestic demand is projected to grow to 23 MT by 2020 from 17.5 MT in 2013. This increase in consumption can be attributed to high growth in income levels, increasing trend in spending and better living standards. The stagnant domestic oil production is also leading to higher imports to feed the growing Indian demand.

The oilseeds processors’ industry body had suggested the government to ensure remunerative price to farmers through suitable import duty structure in order to raise oilseeds production and reduce the country's dependence on imports. SEA has been demanding to raise import duty on crude edible oil to 10% and refined cooking oil to 20% to protect the interest of farmers and refiners. At present, there is 2.5% duty on crude edible oil and 7.5% on refined edible oil.

SEA also advocated promotion of oil palm crop, fullest exploitation of rice bran oil and recommended that high yielding quality seeds should be made available at the time of sowing and felt that farmers should be encouraged to shift to oilseeds from grains by offering higher support price.

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