India's edible oil import is expected to rise by 15% to 51 lakh tonne (5.1 million tonne) during the current oil season 2006-07 (starting November).

According to B V Mehta, executive director, Solvent Extractors' Association of India, the total edible oil import for the current season may comprise 37 lakh tonne (3.7 million tonne) of palm oil complex and 14 lakh tonne (1.4 million tonne) of soft oils like soya oil, sun oil and rape oil.

He said India will have to depend on imports to the extent of about 40% of its consumption requirement.

The total availability of domestic edible oils for the current season 2006-07 is estimated at 77 lakh tonne (7.7 million tonne) against 80 lakh tonne (8 million tonne) in previous season, down by 3 lakh tonne (300,000 tonne). Total consumption is expected to increase to nearly 139 lakh tonne (13.9 million tonne).

Thus, India may import 51 lakh tonne of edible oils, 3.5 lakh tonne (350,000 tonne) of vanaspati and 7.5 lakh tonne (750,000 tonne) of non-edible oils.

The total import of edible oils during November 2006 to February 2007 period was reported at 10.83 lakh tonne (1.083 million tonne) compared to 10.46 lakh tonne (1.046 million tonne) in the same period last year, up by 4%.

Total production of nine major oilseeds for current season 2006-07 is likely to be lower by 13 lakh tonne (1.3 million tonne) to 226.7 lakh tonne (22.67 million tonne) compared to the previous year's bumper production of 239.7 lakh tonne (23.97 million tonne) as estimated at the All India Seminar on Rabi oilseeds held at New Delhi on March 17.

Nearly 80% of the country's domestic oil output comes from the primary source that is nine cultivated oilseeds and two major oil-bearing materials (cottonseed and copra).