Edible oils import decline by 14 pc

Mumbai, May 15 (UNI) The import of edible oils has fallen by 14 per cent to 306,245 tons in April this year as compared to 354,284 tons last year.

During November 2006 and April 2007, the total import of edible oils was reported at 1,707,316 tons as compared to 1,801,441 tons of last year, a fall by five per cent. The import of non-edible oil was also down to 291,798 tons as compared to 296,099 tons, a decline of 1.5 per cent, B V Mehta, Executive director of the Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA) of India said.

He attributed the fall in import figures to better local crushing season and better supply of rape mustard by NAFED and better availability of cotton and ricebran oil during November 2006 and January 2007.

The lesser arrival of soyabean oil during April-May 2007 and high prices of edible oil affected the consumption, Mr Mehta added.

UNI