India’s palm oil imports fell to five-month low in October 2025

India’s palm oil imports fell to a five-month low in October 2025 amid weak demand and higher domestic stocks, according to trade estimates from the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). Total palm oil imports, including both crude and refined varieties, were around 750,000 tonnes in October, down sharply from approximately 980,000 tonnes in September. This low level of imports marks the smallest volume since May 2025, when shipments slowed due to high international prices and lackluster festival demand. Industry sources attribute the decline primarily to ample inventories in Indian ports and warehouses, which hold over 1.2 million tonnes of edible oils, reducing the urgency for fresh imports. Additionally, weak demand from the food sector has curtailed buying interest. Refiners have notably shifted preferences toward cheaper soft oils such as soybean and sunflower oil, which have become more economically attractive amid narrowing price gaps relative to palm oil. This ...