Palm oil has a severe image problem in India, and it is ruining sales

As the highest ranks of the world’s palm oil industry gathered in a virtual conference last month, it became clear they were anxious about the same issue: The oil has a severe image problem in India.

India, home to more than $5 billion in palm sales a year and the top export market, is no longer enthralled with the oil. Demand, mostly driven by the service sector, has dried up due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, and households just don’t want it.

The hurdle is that palm is viewed as a cheaper, less healthy option, and households prefer oils made from soy, sunflowers