Vegetable oil imports are expected to decline by nearly 6 per cent to 8.7-8.8 million tonnes in 2010-11 oil year ending October on higher domestic production of oilseeds, industry body SEA said today.
Oil year runs from November to October.
"Total imports of vegetable oils during the current oil year would be about 8.7-8.8 million tonnes against 9.24 million tonnes last year," Solvent Extractors' Association (SEA) of India said in a statement.
Import of edible oils is likely to be lower at 8.4-8.5 million tonnes as against 8.8 million tonnes last year, while imports of non-edible oils is expected to reduce to 3,50,000 tonnes from 4,20,000 tonnes.
"The rabi oilseeds crop for 2010-11 is likely to increase to 9.87 million tonnes as against 9.07 million tonnes of last year. Also, the overall oilseeds crop should increase to 25.4 million tonnes compared to 22.8 million tonnes of last year," SEA said.
As a result, the overall availability of domestic oil would increase to 8.5 million tonnes compared to 7.8 million tonnes during last year.