The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) has said that India's edible oils imports rose 12 per cent annually to 11,73,168 tonne in March 2026 as compared to 10,45,281 tonne in the year-ago period mainly due to higher imports of crude palm oil. However, it noted that imports may be subdued in coming months due to firm global prices and high freight cost amid the West Asia conflict.  

Imports of crude palm oil surged to 6,73,965 tonne in March 2026 from 3,43,949 tonne in March 2025. Non-edible oil imports fell to 13,401 tonne in March 2026 from 27,742 tonne in March 2025. Imports of vegetable oils (including both edible and non-edible) increased 11 per cent to 11,86,569 tonne last month from 10,73,023 tonne in March 2025. 

During the first five months of 2025-26 marketing year, the total vegetable oil imports rose 8 per cent to 65,72,131 tonne from 60,96,923 tonne in the corresponding period of the preceding year. Edible oil marketing year runs from November to October.