MUMBAI (March 12): India's palm oil imports jumped 11% to a six-month high in February, as a wider discount versus rival oils prompted refiners to boost purchases and curb sunflower oil imports, a leading trade body said on Thursday. India's increased imports of palm oil and soyoil could reduce stocks in Indonesia and Malaysia, boosting Malaysian palm oil and US soyoil futures. Imports of soyoil in February rose 7% to 299,046 tonnes from the previous month, which was a 19-month low, and sunflower oil imports were down about 45% to 145,308 tonnes, the SEA said. Total vegetable oil imports fell 2% to 1.32 million tonnes due to the sharp drop in sunflower oil purchases, the statement added. India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and imports soyoil and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.

Source: The Edge Markets March 12, 2026 10:10 UTC