India’s sunflower oil imports are set to fall sharply in the 2025/26 marketing year, hitting their lowest level in four years as rising global prices push buyers towards cheaper alternatives such as palm oil and soyoil, according to trade officials and dealers.
Industry sources estimate that shipments of sunflower oil into India will drop by around 10 % from the previous year, with total imports falling to roughly 2.65 million tonnes, the lowest since 2021/22. The higher price of sunflower oil compared with rival edible oils has made it less attractive for refiners and importers.
Sunflower oil, much of which is sourced from the Black Sea region, is currently commanding a premium over palm and soyoil, prompting buyers to limit purchases to core demand levels. In contrast, imports of palm oil have risen as refiners seek more cost-effective supplies.
The decline in sunflower oil imports reflects broader shifts in India’s edible oil trade patterns amid volatile global prices, with importers increasingly adjusting to competitive pricing dynamics across different oil categories.
