India Palm Oil HS1511 Import Data 2025 April Overview

India Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 April Import: Key Takeaways

India's palm oil imports under HS Code 1511 in April 2025 show Indonesia dominating supply with 51.91% frequency and higher unit prices, suggesting refined or premium-grade product flows. The market remains heavily concentrated, with Indonesia and Malaysia jointly controlling 69% of volume, creating supply chain risks ahead of late 2025 import restrictions on refined palm oil. This analysis of India's April 2025 palm oil trade dynamics is based on verified Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 April Import Background

What is HS Code 1511?

HS Code 1511 covers palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. This includes products like refined bleached deodorised palm oil (HS 15119010) and palmolein (HS 15119020), widely used in food processing, cosmetics, and biofuels. Global demand remains stable due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness, making it a key commodity in international trade.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In late November 2025, India shifted refined palm oil imports under HS Code 1511 from a "Free" to a "Restricted" category, requiring authorization under the Foreign Trade Policy [TaxTMI]. This policy adjustment aims to regulate import volumes and stabilize domestic markets. As a major importer, India's reliance on palm oil (particularly from Malaysia and Indonesia) underscores the strategic importance of monitoring trade dynamics for HS Code 1511 imports in April 2025. Market participants must stay vigilant to navigate compliance and tariff changes.

India Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 April Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In April 2025, India's imports of Palm oil under HS Code 1511 totaled $925.72 million in value and 289.90 million kg in volume, marking a noticeable decline from previous months.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The drop in April's imports reflects a typical seasonal pattern for palm oil, where demand often softens post-winter and ahead of the monsoon season, reducing immediate stock needs. Month-over-month, value fell by approximately 25% from March's $1.24 billion, while volume decreased by over 26% from 393.79 million kg. This aligns with industry cycles where import volumes peak early in the year for replenishment and then ease as domestic consumption patterns shift.

External Context and Outlook

The import policy for HS Code 1511 remained free in April 2025, as confirmed by a DGFT extension in August 2025 [Complinity], but the announced shift to a restricted regime from November 2025 may have prompted cautious ordering. Coupled with global price volatility and potential duty adjustments later in the year, this policy uncertainty likely contributed to the subdued import activity, suggesting a watchful market outlook for the remainder of 2025.

India Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 April Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's Palm oil imports under HS Code 1511 in April 2025 were dominated by crude palm oil, specifically the sub-code for crude, not chemically modified vegetable oils, which held 69% of the import value and 65% of the weight at a unit price of 3.40 USD per kilogram. An anomaly is noted in the sub-code for other refined palm oil with a unit price of 8.20 USD per kilogram, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its extreme price disparity.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into refined palm oil categories: one group with unit prices around 2.98 USD per kilogram for standard refined versions, and another with lower prices around 2.17 to 2.42 USD per kilogram for less processed grades. This structure indicates a trade in fungible bulk commodities, as price differences are minimal and linked to basic processing stages rather than high value-add or branding.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For India Palm oil HS Code 1511 Import 2025 April, the market's reliance on crude palm oil suggests pricing is tied to global commodity indices, offering importers limited pricing power. The refined segments' lower prices highlight competitive pressures, urging focus on cost-efficient sourcing and volume management in bulk trades.

Check Detailed HS 1511 Breakdown

India Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 April Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In April 2025, India's palm oil imports under HS Code 1511 were heavily concentrated, with Indonesia dominating as the top supplier. Indonesia accounted for 51.91% of import frequency and 45.37% of weight, but its value share was slightly higher at 47.89%, indicating a marginally higher unit price around 3.37 USD/kg compared to other sources. This suggests Indonesia may be supplying more refined or higher-grade palm oil to India during this period.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The partner countries form three clear clusters based on import patterns. Indonesia and Malaysia make up the primary cluster, together contributing over 69% of value and weight, driven by their status as major global palm oil producers with established trade routes. Thailand and Papua New Guinea represent a secondary cluster with lower volume but significant value shares, likely due to exports of cheaper crude or specialty palm oil variants. The remaining countries, including Cambodia and Nepal, form a minor cluster with minimal contributions, possibly serving niche markets or acting as transit points.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Market players should prioritize maintaining stable relationships with Indonesian and Malaysian suppliers to ensure volume security, but prepare for potential disruptions. The import policy for refined palm oil under HS Code 1511 is set to shift to restricted status in late 2025 [Complinity], meaning companies may need to secure authorizations or shift focus towards crude palm oil imports to avoid compliance issues.

Table: India Palm Oil (HS 1511) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

India Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 April Import: Action Plan for Palm Oil Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India Palm oil Import 2025 April under HS Code 1511 operates as a bulk commodity market. Price is driven by global palm oil indices and basic processing grades, not value-added features. Supply depends heavily on Indonesia and Malaysia, which together dominate volume. This creates high exposure to geopolitical risks and policy shifts, like India's upcoming restriction on refined palm oil imports. The buyer base is concentrated among high-volume frequent importers, increasing reliance on a few key relationships. Overall, the supply chain prioritizes volume security over diversification or premium product strategies.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Palm oil Market Execution

• Track Indonesian and Malaysian shipment frequencies and volumes monthly to anticipate supply disruptions. This ensures you maintain inventory buffers against geopolitical or policy changes affecting these key sources.
• Analyze unit price trends for crude versus refined palm oil under HS Code 1511 to optimize sourcing decisions. This helps you shift orders to lower-cost grades ahead of India's refined import restrictions, protecting margins.
• Use buyer transaction data to identify and secure contracts with top-tier high-volume importers. This builds stable revenue streams by aligning with the dominant market segment that drives 90% of value.
• Monitor smaller buyer segments for emerging niche demands or trial orders. This allows diversification into less competitive niches, reducing over-reliance on bulk buyers.
• Review compliance requirements for restricted refined palm oil imports under HS Code 1511 from late 2025. This prepares your documentation and supply chain for policy enforcement, avoiding delays or penalties.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Palm oil Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Palm oil Import 2025 April?

India's palm oil imports in April 2025 declined by 25% in value and 26% in volume from March, reflecting seasonal demand softening post-winter. The upcoming shift to a restricted import policy later in 2025 and global price volatility further contributed to cautious ordering.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Palm oil Import 2025 April?

Indonesia dominated with 47.89% of import value, followed by Malaysia, together accounting for over 69% of total imports. Thailand and Papua New Guinea formed a secondary cluster with lower volumes but notable value shares.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Palm oil Import 2025 April partner countries?

Price differences stem from product grades: crude palm oil (69% of imports) averaged 3.40 USD/kg, while refined variants ranged from 2.17–2.98 USD/kg. Indonesia's marginally higher unit price (3.37 USD/kg) suggests slightly more refined supply.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Palm oil?

Importers should prioritize securing bulk contracts with high-volume frequent buyers (89.69% of trade value) while monitoring niche segments. Compliance readiness for the upcoming restricted import policy is critical to avoid disruptions.

Q5. What does this India Palm oil import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers in Indonesia and Malaysia benefit from stable high-volume demand but face policy risks. Smaller exporters can target niche buyers (e.g., infrequent large purchasers) or offer competitive crude palm oil grades.

Q6. How is Palm oil typically used in this trade flow?

Palm oil imports are primarily fungible bulk commodities, with crude oil dominating for industrial use. Refined variants cater to food processing, with minimal price differentiation indicating low value-add specialization.