KUALA LUMPUR (April 18 2003) : In India, traders said edible oil suppliesin the world's largest importer could be hit with several thousand tonnesof oil held up at the ports as a truckers strike entered its fourth day.

Unless prolonged, would not affect vegetable oil imports but would lead toan increase in domestic oil prices, they said.

The truckers, who carry the bulk of India's freight, went on strike onMonday to back demands for stable diesel prices, minimum freight rates andfewer levies and taxes, and the repeal of an order to scrap trucks olderthan 15 years.

Striking truckers and government officials began talks on Thursday aimedat ending the four-day old protest.

"Nearly 100,000 tonnes of edible oil is lying at ports due to the strike,"said Sandeep Bajoria, chairman of the Central Organisation for OilIndustry and Trade.

He said about 300,000 tonnes of edible oil were likely to arrive at Indianports in the next two weeks.

India is expected to import around 450,000-500,000 tonnes of edible oil inApril, mainly palm oils from Malaysia and Indonesia, trade officials said.