SOUTH Asian giant, India imported 13.35 million tonnes of edible oil, a little more than half of its total consumption, in its fiscal year 2020-21, according to the Malaysian Government’s data.
Its domestic production of edible oils for the April-March fiscal year totalled 12.47 million tonnes and consumption was 25.82 million tonnes, the Agriculture Ministry said yesterday.
However, it is to note that the world’s largest importer of edible oils is working to reduce its dependence on imports, under a food security plan.
“The scheme is being implemented with the objective to augment the availability of vegetable oils and to reduce import of edible oils by increasing the production and productivity of oilseeds,” the ministry added.
India imports palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia, while Argentina, Ukraine and Russia are top suppliers of soy oil and sunflower oil.
India’s production of oilseeds during 2020-21 is estimated at 36.56 million tonnes.
The output includes 13.4 million tonnes of soybean, 10.12 million tonnes of groundnut and 9.9 million tonnes of rapeseed and mustard. – July 24, 2021
