The Hindu Business Line : Edible oil imports up 27 pc

IMPORTS of edible oils including palm oil, soya oil and sunflower oil during the 10 months of current oil year (November 2004-October 2005) have increased 27 per cent to 41.73 lakh tonnes from 32.95 lakh tonnes during the corresponding period a year ago, according to latest figures released by the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA).

Edible oils' imports in August were, however, down to 5.96 lakh tonnes from 6 lakh tonnes in August 2004.

Refined edible oils imports were reported at 4.14 lakh tonnes, while crude oil imports were reported at 37.58 lakh tonnes.

Refined edible oil has decreased to 10 per cent, while crude oil has increased from 83 per cent to 90 per cent, thanks to duty difference leading to value additional within the country, according to SEA release.

Palm oil products' imports have touched 25.90 lakh tonnes, while imports of soft oils, mainly soybean oil, increased to 15.83 lakh tonnes from 6.64 lakh tonnes.

Soybean oil import has increased by two and half times in first 10 months of current oil year. Practically, incremental import can be attributed to soybean oil, while palm oil imports, in terms of quantity, have been at the same level. However, its share in imports has been reduced from 80 per cent to 62 per cent. The share of soft oils, on the other hand, has gone up from 20 per cent to 38 per cent in first 10 months of the oil year 2004-05.

Imports of non-edible oils in August 2005 were 51,054 tonnes, up from 21,510 tonnes in August 2004. Total imports of non-edible oil were 3.20 lakh tonnes (1.79 lakh tonnes), up 79 per cent.

Crude Palm Stearin at 1.58 lakh tonnes tonnes, P.F.A.D. at 83,448 tonnes and C.P.K.O at 46,765 tonnes are major non-edible oils being imported.

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