Consumption of edible oil in India 2022/2023, by type

In the marketing year 2023, palm oil was the most used cooking oil in India, with its domestic consumption surpassing eight million metric tons. It was followed by soybean and rapeseed oils, with their respective consumption volumes reaching 5.4 and 3.6 million metric tons.

Production of edible oils

India produces a wide range of edible oils like palm, soybean, mustard, sunflower, and groundnut, that match its diverse food cultures and agricultural practices. Mustard oil is popular in the northern and eastern regions, while the southern part of India prefers coconut oil. Additionally, the country is also seeing an increase in soybean oil production, catering to both domestic needs and increasing demand from the international market.

Import of edible oils

India's reliance on imported edible oils is a crucial aspect of its food economy, driven by the gap between domestic production and consumption demands. The country is one of the largest importers of edible oils globally, importing over 16 million metric tons, with palm and soybean oils constituting the bulk of imports. Indonesia and Malaysia emerged as the top exporters of edible oil to India in the financial year 2023. The country also plans to continue importing edible oils at lower duty rates until 2025, to keep the food inflation in check.