15/09/2009 (Reuters), Hamburg - Last minute rain may have saved India's oilseeds crops from a drought disaster and the harvest may rise on the year, cutting the country's edible oil import need in coming months, oilseeds analysts Oil World said on Tuesday.

Heavy rain in India in the last two weeks ended a long drought which had brought fears the country would suffer a severe reduction in its oilseed harvest at a time when its booming economy is generating strong edible oil demand. [ID:nDEL385015]

"Indian agriculture appears to have escaped from a major drought disaster after the much-needed above-normal rainfall was received in key growing areas in the last two weeks," Oil World said.

"This year's Indian oilseed crops will turn out below potential but not as low as had been feared in late August."

India's 2009/10 harvest of the 10 main oilseeds may reach 32.3 million tonnes, up two percent on last year, it said.

India's 2009/10 production of the 17 main edible oils and fats could reach 9.3 million tonnes, up 0.6 million on the year.

This in turn could cut India's 2009/10 edible oil import requirements to 7.9-8 million tonnes from 8.43 million in 2008/09, it said.

Of this, India's 2009/10 soyoil import requirement is likely to be unchanged on the year at 1.0 million tonnes, it said.