India: Palm and soybean oil imports fall in March.

Indian palm oil imports totaled 689,462 tons in March, a 19% drop compared to February and the lowest level since December of last year, according to data from the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), released on Monday (13). According to the association, the drop in purchases reflects higher edible oil prices, which followed energy markets after the outbreak of the current conflict in the Middle East at the end of February. This reduction could deplete Indian stocks of the commodity and, in the coming months, force the country to increase purchases abroad to replenish them. India is the world's largest importer of vegetable oil. Last month, Indian soybean oil shipments fell 4% to 287,220 tons, while sunflower oil shipments increased by about 35% to 196,486 tons. Overall, India's edible oil imports fell by more than 9% from February to March, reaching 1.17 million tons, the lowest level since April 2025.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.