India Soybean Oil HS1507 Import Data 2025 January Overview

India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) 2025 January Import: Key Takeaways

India's Soybean oil (HS Code 1507) Import in 2025 January reveals a market split between premium and bulk supply, with Argentina dominating high-value refined oil (67% of value) and Nepal supplying low-cost crude (71% of quantity). Buyer concentration remains moderate, but reliance on Argentina for quality poses geographic risk. The market shows stable demand, with import duty cuts favoring cost-effective crude sourcing. This analysis covers 2025 January and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) 2025 January Import Background

What is HS Code 1507?

HS Code 1507 covers soybean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. It is a critical commodity for India’s food industry, used extensively in cooking oil, processed foods, and industrial applications. Global demand remains stable due to its affordability and versatility, making it a key import for India’s edible oil supply chain.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In January 2025, India’s soybean oil imports (HS Code 1507) surged, with volumes up 62.16% and values rising 95.24% year-on-year, driven by tariff adjustments and domestic supply gaps [GTAIC]. The government reduced basic customs duties on crude soybean oil to 45% mid-year to stabilize prices, while refined variants retained higher tariffs [DFPD]. India’s reliance on imports underscores its strategic vulnerability to global price fluctuations, necessitating close market monitoring for HS Code 1507 soybean oil imports in 2025.

India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) 2025 January Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

India Soybean oil HS Code 1507 Import for 2025 January reached a value of $1.33 billion. The reported volume figure of zero kilograms appears inconsistent, suggesting possible data reporting delays or classification issues during this period.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The absence of a volume figure for January 2025 prevents standard quarter-over-quarter or year-over-year comparisons. In typical edible oil import patterns, January often sees active trade as buyers replenish stocks following holiday demand and ahead of spring market preparations. The complete lack of reported volume while maintaining a substantial dollar value indicates either extraordinary price levels or significant data reporting anomalies that deviate from normal seasonal inventory cycles.

External Context and Outlook

India's soybean oil import policy during this period featured a 45% basic customs duty [Agri Exchange], with reports showing import values surging 95% year-over-year in early 2025 [GTAIC]. The government's duty reduction on crude soybean oil in May 2025 aimed to boost imports and stabilize domestic prices (DFPD), suggesting that January's unusual data may reflect market anticipation of policy changes or extraordinary global price volatility affecting shipment valuations.

India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) 2025 January Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's soybean oil imports under HS Code 1507 in January 2025 were dominated by refined oil in volume terms, with sub-code 15079010 (other soybean oil, not crude) accounting for 97.75% of the quantity share. However, crude soybean oil (sub-code 15071000) held the highest value share at 87.28%, indicating a specialization in high-value crude oil despite its lower volume.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for HS Code 1507 is split into two primary grades: crude soybean oil (15071000) and refined soybean oil (15079010). Crude oil represents the high-value segment, while refined oil handles the bulk of volume. This points to a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where prices are typically tied to global market indices rather than significant product differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Suppliers of crude soybean oil likely hold stronger pricing power due to its high value concentration, while the refined oil market is volume-driven and more competitive. [GTAIC] notes import surges and duty reductions in 2025, which may influence cost dynamics for India soybean oil HS Code 1507 import in 2025 January, urging players to focus on crude oil for better margins.

Check Detailed HS 1507 Breakdown

India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) 2025 January Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's Soybean oil HS Code 1507 Import in 2025 January shows Argentina as the dominant supplier, accounting for 66.92% of the import value but only 0.71% of the quantity, indicating a high unit price and suggesting premium-grade oil. This disparity between value and quantity ratios points to Argentina supplying refined or higher-quality Soybean oil, while other countries like Nepal with a high quantity share but low value share likely provide bulk or crude oil.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top suppliers form two main clusters: first, Argentina, Brazil, and Russia, which have high value ratios but low quantity ratios, possibly due to their production of refined Soybean oil suited for higher-end markets. Second, Nepal stands out with a massive quantity share but low value, likely because it supplies cheaper, crude oil, possibly facilitated by geographic proximity or trade agreements. The remaining countries, such as Iraq and the United States, are minor players with mixed patterns, reflecting sporadic or niche sourcing.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For market players, India's heavy reliance on Argentina for premium oil and Nepal for bulk imports suggests a need to diversify sources to manage price and quality risks. With import duties on crude Soybean oil reduced in 2025 [DFPD], sourcing more cost-effective crude oil from countries like Nepal could be strategic, but maintaining ties with premium suppliers like Argentina ensures quality supply. This balance helps stabilize costs and meet domestic demand for India Soybean oil HS Code 1507 Import in 2025 January.

Table: India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

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India Soybean Oil (HS 1507) 2025 January Import: Action Plan for Soybean Oil Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India Soybean oil Import 2025 January under HS Code 1507 is a commodity market driven by two key price factors. First, quality grade defines value. Crude oil (HS 15071000) carries higher margins despite lower volume. Second, global supply shifts and import duty changes directly impact costs. Argentina dominates premium supply, while Nepal provides bulk volume at lower cost.

This creates clear supply chain implications. India relies heavily on Argentina for high-value oil and Nepal for volume. This dual dependency risks price volatility and supply disruption. The market structure favors large, frequent buyers who control most transactions. Sellers must balance premium and volume channels to ensure stable revenue.

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

• Use HS Code sub-category data to track crude versus refined oil shipments. This identifies high-margin opportunities within India Soybean oil Import 2025 January under HS Code 1507.
• Analyze buyer frequency and value clusters to prioritize engagement with dominant importers. This secures bulk orders and stabilizes revenue streams.
• Monitor Argentina and Nepal trade flows for price and volume trends. This enables proactive sourcing shifts if supplier costs or duties change.
• Develop contracts with frequent small-volume buyers to diversify beyond major importers. This reduces reliance on a few large players and builds market resilience.
• Leverage real-time import data to anticipate stock cycles and adjust inventory. This prevents overstock or shortages in response to buyer purchase patterns.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Soybean oil Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Soybean oil Import 2025 January?

India's soybean oil imports in January 2025 saw a surge in value ($1.33B) despite inconsistent volume reporting, likely due to policy anticipation (e.g., duty reductions) and global price volatility. The market is split between high-value crude oil (87.28% value share) and bulk refined oil (97.75% volume share).

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Soybean oil Import 2025 January?

Argentina dominated with 66.92% of import value but only 0.71% quantity, indicating premium-grade supply. Nepal contributed high volume shares (likely crude oil), while Brazil and Russia were minor high-value players.

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

The price gap stems from product specialization: Argentina supplies refined/high-grade oil (HS 15079010), while Nepal’s bulk crude oil (HS 15071000) drives volume but lower unit value.

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

Importers should prioritize securing crude oil (higher margins) from dominant suppliers like Argentina while diversifying bulk sources (e.g., Nepal) to mitigate over-reliance on one partner.

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

Suppliers of premium crude oil (e.g., Argentina) hold pricing power, while bulk refiners must compete on volume. Exporters should target India’s dominant buyer segment (80% market share) for stability.

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

Soybean oil imports serve India’s edible oil demand, with crude oil used for further processing and refined oil for direct consumption or industrial food production.