NEW DELHI, July 16 (Bernama) -- The import of edible oil by India hasdropped by 28 percent in the eight months of the current oil year (Nov '03to June'04).

The import of edible oils during the eight-month period is reported at2,403,609 tonnes as compared to 3,344,970 tonnes in the eight months ofthe previous year, according to figures available from the SolventExtractors Association (SEA), said a Mumbai-datelined report in thebusiness daily, the Financial Express.

The import in November 2003 to March 2004 was more or less the same ascompared to the previous year, the report said adding "However, in thelast three months, April to June, import has greatly reduced to 773,934tonnes from (1,770,550 tonnes) in the same period of last year.

The import of refined oil from November '03 to June '04 is reported at454,773 tonnes as against 95,842 tonnes in the same period of the previousyear.

Import of crude oil from Nov '03 to June '04 was reported at 1,948,866tonnes (81 per cent of the total edible oil import) as against 3,249,128tonnes in the same period of the previous year.

Palm oil products imported from Nov'03 to June '04 was reported at2,027,675 tonnes, which constituted 84 percent of the total imports,whereas soft oils import was at 375,934 tonnes (16.6 percent).

-- BERNAMA