Markets and Trade
AreaIndia
Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals
CommodityVegetable oils
Date01/05/2018
Policy CategoryTrade
Policy InstrumentExport policy
DescriptionLifted the ban on bulk exports of all edible vegetable oils, with the exception of mustard seed oil.
NotesExportation of vegetable oils is set to be liberalized further in India. After lifting the ban on bulk exports of selected vegetable oils in March 2017 (see MPPU Apr.’18), the Government now decided to allow bulk exports of all edible oils with the exception of mustardseed oil. Being an item of mass consumption in the country, mustard oil may only be exported in consumer packs up to 5 kg and at a minimum price of USD 900 per tonne. The new policy is aimed at encouraging oilseed production by opening additional marketing avenues for edible oils. Moreover, the measures may contribute to better utilization of idle capacity in the country’s edible oil industry. However, market experts do not expect sizeable increases in shipments in the near term, as domestic edible oil prices currently range significantly above world market levels.