Business

India’s veg oil imports strain port ops

By Sohail Khan 7 September 2026, 4:05 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty23,779.15-118.55

Precious Metal
Gold (MCX) (Rs/10g.)152,402.00-365.0

Enter search text:

Business News›Industry›Cons. Products›Food›India's vegetable oil imports strain port storage, delaying unloading

Read Today's Paper

India's vegetable oil imports strain port storage, delaying unloading
Synopsis

India’s aggressive edible-oil imports have clogged major ports, delaying vessel unloading by up to 10 days as storage tanks fill. At least nine vessels carrying 300,000 tonnes are waiting at Kandla, while weaker-than-expected festive demand could now force refiners to cut purchases.

India’s June Vegetable Oil Imports Fall 29% YoY Amid Rising Prices

MUMBAI: India's aggressive vegetable-oil buying has led to congestion at major ports, delaying vessel unloading by as much as 10 days as shore tanks fill and refiners struggle to clear incoming cargo, industry officials told Reuters.

The congestion is expected to prompt Indian refiners to scale back purchases of soyoil and palm oil for October shipments, potentially ‌boosting inventories in ⁠top ⁠producers Indonesia, Malaysia and Argentina and weighing on benchmark palm oil futures and soyoil futures.

"Shore tanks are full, and the lack of storage space is delaying the unloading of vessels carrying edible oils," said Sandeep Bajoria, chief executive of vegetable oil brokerage Sunvin Group.

"At least nine vessels carrying 300,000 metric tons of edible oils are waiting to discharge at Kandla port."

Kandla, in the western state of ⁠Gujarat, is ‌India's largest gateway for edible oil imports, handling nearly a third of the country's total arrivals.

Haldia, the second-biggest gateway for edible oil ⁠imports on the east coast, is also facing congestion, although to a lesser extent than Kandla, dealers said.

The South Asian country's edible oil imports in August jumped to an 11-month high of 1.54 million tons and a similar quantity is likely to be imported in September as well, they said.

As edible oils for prompt delivery were cheaper than contracts for later months, Indian refiners increased their purchases for August and September ‌delivery, causing a glut at ports, said Rajesh Patel, managing partner at trader GGN Research in Rajkot city in the western state of Gujarat.

Refiners imported heavily in ⁠anticipation of strong festival demand, but consumption has not increased as expected, slowing the movement of cargo from port-based refineries, Patel said.

India celebrates a series of festivals between August and November, when demand for edible oils typically peaks.

The build-up in inventories is now prompting refiners to reduce purchases for October to December shipment, Bajoria said.

India sources most of its palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, while soyoil and sunflower oil are imported mainly from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The .)

…moreless

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
India vegetable oil importsedible oil importsIndia edible oil inventoryIndia imports palm oilstorage issues edible oilsedible oil

(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The .)

…moreless

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year