India’s sunflower oil imports declined sharply in September to their lowest level in over four years, primarily due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to estimates from five industry dealers, shipments of sunflower oil fell by 36 percent compared to August, totaling approximately 103,000 metric tons—the lowest volume since April 2022.

The disruption to sunflower oil supply is linked to damaged port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Black Sea region, which has complicated logistics and limited exports despite steady demand in India. Rajesh Patel, managing partner at GGN Research in Rajkot, Gujarat, noted that the logistical challenges are expected to continue into October, keeping sunflower oil imports subdued.

As imports of sunflower oil decreased, Indian refiners turned to alternative sources. Palm oil imports, predominantly sourced from Indonesia and Malaysia, rose 3.5 percent from the previous month, reaching a seven-month high of about 810,000 tons. This increase in palm oil shipments is viewed as a strategic move by refiners to build stocks ahead of the festive season, which runs from September through November and typically drives higher demand for edible oils.

In contrast, soyoil imports, mainly from Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine, edged down by 4.6 percent from August’s record high to 600,000 tons in September. Overall, India’s total edible oil imports fell 3.75 percent month-on-month to around 1.5 million tons during the same period.

Industry analysts highlight that India’s status as the world’s largest importer of vegetable oils positions it as a key driver in global edible oil markets. The increased palm oil imports may provide support to producers in Indonesia and Malaysia, bolstering inventories and influencing benchmark palm oil futures.

The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India plans to release official import data for September by mid-October, which will provide further clarity on the consumption and trade patterns amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties affecting global edible oil supplies.