15/01/2015 (Bernama) - India's vegetable oil imports, both edible and non-edible, in December 2014 increased by seven per cent, or 1,139,586 tonnes, compared with 1,067,709 tonnes in December 2013.

In a statement today, the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said of the total import, 1,121,590 tonnes were edible oils and 17,996 tonnes non-edible oil.

"The overall import of vegetable oils in November and December 2014 was up by 16 per cent, or 2,329,520 tonnes, compared with the same period in 2013 of 2,012,018 tonnes," SEA said.

It said the current stocks of edible oils as at Jan 1, 2015 at various ports were estimated at 860,000 tonnes.

"The stocks consist of crude palm oil 620,000 tonnes, refined bleached deodorised palm olein 60,000 tonnes, degummed soyabean oil 50,000 tonnes, crude sunflower Oil 120,000 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes of rapeseed (Canola) oil with another 1,225,000 tonnes in pipeline.

"The total stocks at the ports and in the pipeline rose to 2,085,000 tonnes from 1,960,000 tonnes in December 2014 and up by nearly 500,000 tonnes compared with January 2014.