A low margin, high turnover domestic vegetable oil industry is estimated to be a Rs 80,000-crore industry. India stands fourth as the world’s largest after the US, China and Brazil. The consumption of vegetable oil rose due to a rise in household incomes and consumer demand. However, the per capita consumption of oils and fats is estimated to be much lower t...more

A low margin, high turnover domestic vegetable oil industry is estimated to be a Rs 80,000-crore industry. India stands fourth as the world’s largest after the US, China and Brazil. The consumption of vegetable oil rose due to a rise in household incomes and consumer demand. However, the per capita consumption of oils and fats is estimated to be much lower than that most of the developed countries. India is the third-largest importer of edible oil in the world. Reports suggest that the domestic edible oil industry was traditionally dominated by unorganised players. However the organized players are finding feet with rising demand for packaged food, revolution in the retail space, growing health consciousness amongst the Indian consumers and the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT). The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India estimates the oil industry to include 15,000 oil mills, 600 solvent extraction units, 250 vanaspati (hydrogenated oil) plants and over 600 refineries. KS Oils is the largest producer of mustard oil in the country. The mustard oil is estimated to comprise 20% share of the total edible oil industry. The unorganised players constitute more than 50 per cent of the total market. Packaged and branded oil constitute only about 10 per cent. Gujarat Ambuja Exports involved in agro-processing and trading, with major thrust on exports. Sanwaria Agro Oils is one of India’s leading soya bean processors and producers of refined soya bean oil. Jhunjhunwala Vanaspati is India’s largest producer of vanaspati ghee with its ‘Jhoola’ brand well-established in the North and East.  hide