Stocks of vegetable oils in India fell to a five-year low due to reduced imports of palm oil

Vegetable oil stocks at Indian ports and pipelines fell to a five-year low of 1.35 million tonnes as of May 1, 2025, following a sharp decline in palm oil imports in April, which hit a four-year low, according to data from the Solvent Refiners Association of India (SEA). The last time stocks were lower was on May 1, 2020, when they were around 0.91 million tonnes. India’s palm oil imports in April fell 24.29% from March to 321,446 tonnes, SEA said. The association’s executive director B.V. Mehta said the low stocks did not indicate a shortage of edible oils in the country as domestic production, particularly mustard seed processing, was continuing vigorously, ensuring adequate supplies. In addition, 60,000-70,000 tonnes of refined edible oils are imported from Nepal every month, which also affects the level of port stocks. Low stocks may prompt India to increase imports of palm and soybean oil in the coming months, which, according to Reuters, will support Malaysian palm oil ...