India’s sunflower oil imports rise 25% as Russia expands its lead
India imported 1.2086 million tonnes of sunflower oil in January-April 2026, 25% more than a year earlier. Russia supplied 738,500 tonnes, while India’s soybean oil imports declined 3% to 1.7088 million tonnes.
Sunflower oil purchases reach 1.2 million tonnes
India sharply increased its sunflower oil imports during the first four months of 2026, strengthening the position of the product in the country’s imported edible-oil mix. India received 1.2086 million tonnes of sunflower oil in January-April, according to Grain On-Line. The volume was 25% higher than in the corresponding period of 2025.
The increase contrasts with India’s soybean oil purchases. Imports of that product totaled 1.7088 million tonnes in January-April 2026, remaining larger in absolute terms than sunflower oil shipments but falling 3% year on year. The figures indicate that India bought about 500,200 tonnes more soybean oil than sunflower oil during the period. However, the opposing annual trends show that sunflower oil gained ground while soybean oil volumes eased.
Russia supplies more than half of the sunflower oil
Russia ranked as India’s largest sunflower oil supplier in January-April 2026, delivering 738,500 tonnes. That represented approximately 61% of India’s total sunflower oil imports reported for the period. Russian shipments were also 111,100 tonnes higher than the 627,400 tonnes supplied in January-April 2025, an increase of nearly 18% based on the published volumes.
Argentina was the second-largest supplier, shipping 228,000 tonnes. Together, Russia and Argentina accounted for 966,500 tonnes, or about 80% of India’s sunflower oil imports during the four-month period. The gap between the two suppliers reached 510,500 tonnes, underlining Russia’s lead in this trade flow. The source did not identify the suppliers responsible for the remaining volume or provide prices, freight costs or details on the grades of oil imported.
Argentina leads India’s soybean oil supply
The supplier structure was different for soybean oil. Argentina delivered 828,000 tonnes to India in January-April 2026, making it the leading source. Brazil followed with 424,000 tonnes. Their combined shipments reached 1.252 million tonnes, equivalent to roughly 73% of India’s total soybean oil imports. Russia supplied only 9,300 tonnes of soybean oil, a small volume compared with its dominant position in sunflower oil.
For crushers, refiners and traders, the data point to a clearer division between the two supply chains. Russia held the central position in sunflower oil, while Argentina was active in both products and led soybean oil deliveries. Brazil remained a major soybean oil source but was not listed among the leading sunflower oil suppliers. The 25% rise in sunflower oil imports creates a larger outlet for suppliers serving India, although the absence of price and consumption data means the figures alone do not establish whether the shift was driven by relative costs, availability, inventories or changes in domestic demand.
