Import of edible oil down by 21%, non-edible up by 65% in 7 months

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) The import of vegetable oils (edible) dipped by over 29 per cent in May 2006 at 399, 151 tonnes compared to 565,674 tonnes during the same month last year.

However, the total import of edible oil during November 2005 to May 2006 (7 months) was reported at 2,200,592 tonnes compared to 2,779,941 tonnes of last year, showing a decline of 21 per cent, according to a data compiled by the Solvent Extractors Association of India here today.

Import of refined oil decreased to 90,779 tonnes compared to 319,654 tonnes of last year, owing to correction in tariff value and widening the difference between CPO&RBD Palmolein that has encourage the import of CPO over refined Palmolein.

Import of refined oil has reduced from 11 per cent to 4 per cent while import of crude edible oil increased to 96 per cent from 89 per cent during November 2005 to May 2006 compared to corresponding period of last year.

Palm Oil Products import during the period was reported at 1,274,296 tonnes (58 per cent) and Soft Oil import was reported at 926,296 tonnes (42 per cent), mainly soybean oil (818,306 tonnes).

The ratio between palm oil and soft oil import during the first seven months of current oil year is 58:42 compared to 66:34 of the last year.

During the first seven months of current oil year 83,844 tonnes of Sunflower Oil is imported, mainly under tariff rate quota compared to 2,018 tonnes import during the same period of last year.

The total import of non-edible oil during May 2006 was reported at 47,277 tonnes compared to 63,623 tonnes in May 2005 of last year.

Total import from November 2005 to May 2006 was reported at 343,376 tonnes compared to 208,182 tonnes during the same period tonnes of last year which is up by 65 per cent. P.F.A.D., C.P.K.O. and CPS import have sharply increased.

UNI BBS VJ KP1640