The palm oil's share of India's total edible oil imports fell below 30% for the first time in over a decade.
- This decline is primarily attributed to availability of cost-effective alternatives like soyoil.
What is Palm Oil?
- Palm oil is derived from the fruit of the African oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis).
- There are 2 types of palm oil:
- Crude palm oil (the extract from the fruit pulp) which is primarily used for cooking.
- Palm kernel oil (the extract from its seed) which is used for non-edible purposes (Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals etc.).
- Both oils are colourless, odourless, and relatively tasteless.
- Oil palm trees are native to Africa but currently Indonesia and Malaysia make up over 85% of global supply.
Palm Oil Production in India
- Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala are the major Oil palm growing States and account for 98% of the total production.
- India is the largest importer of palm oil in the world
- India has launched National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) in 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation and reduce import burden on edible oils.
