Question : IMPORT OF VEGETABLE OIL

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): The quantum of import of vegetable oil is dependent on trends of domestic production of oilseeds crop and demand. At present, imported edible oils contribute more then 50% of total availability and there is an increasing trend

(b): A statement showing domestic production of oilseeds and edible oils and import of edible oils for last three years ( Oil year, Nov.–Oct.) is as follows:-

(Quantity in lakh tons )
Oil Year	Domestic	Domestic	Import of edible oils##
(Nov.	Oilseed	Production of
– Oct.)	Production	Edible oils
2009-10	248.82	79.46	74.64
2010-11	324.79	97.82	72.42
2011-12	297.98	89.57	99.43
2012-13	310.06	91.27	96.35
(up to Sept.2013)

## Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics (Department of Commerce).
The import of vegetable oil is increasing due to increase in demand /consumption of edible oils. Major imported edible oils are Palm, Sunflower and Soyabean oil and international prices of these commodities have declined in the last few years. Therefore, their import has helped in controlling the domestic prices of edible oils as compared to other food items.

(c) The import duty on crude edible oils was increased from 0% to 2.5 % in January 2013 to regulate import of crude palm oil which constituted about 70% of total edible oil imports. In addition, to lessen country’s import dependency Government has implemented a Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM) in major oilseed and Oil Palm growing states. Further, in order to strengthen the Oilseed Production Programme, the ongoing scheme of ISOPOM is being restructured into National Mission on Oilseed and Oil Palm (NMOOP) during 12th Plan with support for additional interventions such as Varietal Specific Targetted Seed Production, supply of machinery and tools for oil Palm and provisions for recognition/ awards to better performing States and farmers. In addition , a sub-scheme namely Oil Palm Area Expansion (OPEA), is also under implementation in Oil Palm growing States from 2011-12 under Rasthriya Krishi Vikas Youjna (RKVY).