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Cooking Oil To Get Cheaper In India? Centre Cuts Import Taxes On 6 Major Edible Oils

Cooking oil price

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Cooking oil prices in India are expected to get cheaper. The Central Government has officially cut the import taxes (customs duty) on six major edible oils used in kitchens for cooking. The new rates went into effect on September 24, 2026, and here’s everything you need to know.

Cooking Oil Prices To Get Cheaper In India

According to News18, India is the world’s biggest vegetable oil importer and meets nearly two-thirds of its domestic vegetable oil demand through imports. But reportedly, cooking oil prices are set to get cheaper from September 24, 2026. The Centre has now cut the basic customs duty (BCD) on crude soybean oil and crude palm oil from 10% to 5%.

The duty on refined soybean oil and refined palm oil has also been lowered from 32.5% to 27.5%. The BCD on crude sunflower oil has been reduced from 10% to nil, while on refined sunflower oil, the BCD has been cut from 32.5% to 22.5%. The decision to cut import duties aims to make edible oils more affordable ahead of the festive season in India.

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Demand For Edible Oil Increases During Festive Season

In India, the country’s major imports of vegetable oil include palm oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil. They are mainly sourced from countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Argentina, Russia and Ukraine. According to News18, vegetable oil prices in India have surged by nearly 20% over the past year. Demand for them increases during the September to November festive period, when people make a lot of sweets, snacks and fried foods at home.

The increase in oil prices over the past year has been linked to supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war and weather events linked to El Niño and global warming. The decision to reduce import duties on cooking oil will help shield consumers from high prices. Be it sweets, tadka, sautéing or frying, cooking oil is widely used in Indian households for various food items. It is an important ingredient which forms the core of any meal.

Also Read: The Traitors 2: Ansh Chopra Reacts To Ranveer Brar’s Exit With A Hilarious Cooking Concern

What do you think of this? Do you use large quantities of cooking oil at home?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Africa images

FAQs

What are edible oils?

Edible oils are oils that are safe to use for cooking and eating.

Which is the best cooking oil?

The best cooking oil depends on your cooking needs, diet and personal preference.

Which cooking oil should you use for deep frying?

For deep frying, always use cooking oils with high smoke points such as rice bran oil, groundnut oil and sunflower oil.

Ashmeet Guliani: Ashmeet Guliani is a Content Writer at Curly Tales with over three years of experience writing about food, travel, fashion, and lifestyle. With a B.Sc in Home Economics from the University of Delhi, her interest in reading and writing led her to pursue a career in writing. In her free time, she explores cafes, browses bookstores, listens to Hindi retro songs, and watches K-dramas!