India imports over half its edible oil needs, NITI Aayog says
In short
India gets more than half of its edible oil from imports, and those imports are estimated at 17 million metric tonnes worth about USD 20 billion, Ashok Kumar Lahiri said on Friday.
He said this shows India is still not secure in its food supply. The warning matters because edible oil is a major everyday food item.
What the reporting says
India imports more than half of its edible oil requirements, with estimated imports of 17 million metric tonnes worth about USD 20 billion, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri said on Friday. He said India remains insecure about food supply across several products, and noted that the country is also the world’s largest importer of edible oils. He also said India produces and consumes large volumes of pulses, but the key reported concern is dependence on edible oil imports.
Why it matters
Ashok Kumar Lahiri said on Friday that India meets more than half of its edible oil needs through imports, with shipments estimated at 17 million metric tonnes and about USD 20 billion in value. He framed this as a food-supply risk for India, which he said is the world’s largest importer of edible oils. The remarks highlight dependence on overseas supply for an essential household commodity.