India Sunflower Seed Oil HS1512 Import Data 2025 April Overview

India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 April Import: Key Takeaways

India's April 2025 Sunflower Seed Oil imports (HS Code 1512) reveal heavy reliance on Russia and Ukraine, which supply over 80% of volume—primarily lower-priced crude oil—while Argentina dominates high-value niche shipments. The market shows tight geographic concentration, creating supply chain risks, with Russia leading volume (58.97%) but Ukraine balancing weight-to-value ratios. This analysis covers April 2025 and is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 April Import Background

What is HS Code 1512?

HS Code 1512 covers sunflower-seed, safflower, or cotton-seed oil and their fractions, whether refined or unrefined, but not chemically modified. These edible oils are primarily used in food processing, cooking, and industrial applications, driven by stable global demand due to their nutritional value and versatility. India’s reliance on imports for these oils underscores their strategic importance in meeting domestic consumption needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In May 2025, India reduced import duties on crude edible oils, including Sunflower Seed Oil (HS Code 1512), from 20% to 10% to curb inflation and boost domestic refining [FAS USDA]. This policy shift highlights India’s vulnerability to global price fluctuations and its reliance on imports to bridge supply gaps. With India Sunflower Seed Oil HS Code 1512 Import 2025 April data reflecting ongoing trade adjustments, market participants must monitor tariff changes and supply chain dynamics closely.

India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 April Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In April 2025, India's Sunflower Seed Oil imports under HS Code 1512 reached 545.62 million USD with a volume of 137.54 million kg, showing a slight value increase from March but a notable drop in weight.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The India Sunflower Seed Oil HS Code 1512 Import for 2025 April saw a modest 0.8% month-on-month value rise from March, while volume fell by 14.2%, indicating higher unit prices or a shift in import composition. This pattern aligns with typical edible oil industry cycles, where pre-monsoon inventory adjustments and fluctuating crude oil demand often lead to such divergences between value and volume before policy shifts.

External Context and Outlook

The high import duty of 20% on crude oils in April, as reported in the [USDA Report], likely suppressed import growth during this period. With the duty reduction to 10% effective May 30, 2025 (USDA Report), future imports are expected to rebound, particularly for crude sunflower oil, easing price pressures and supporting supply stability.

India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 April Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, India's Sunflower Seed Oil import market for April 2025 was overwhelmingly concentrated in a single product. Crude, unrefined sunflower oil (HS 15121110) accounted for 97% of the total import value and 96% of the weight, establishing it as the clear market leader. Its lower unit price of $3.99 per kilogram confirms its role as a bulk commodity import.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports are split into two clear categories based on their refinement stage. The first group consists of non-crude, refined sunflower oils (HS 15121910 and 15121990), which hold a small 2.85% value share. The second group is made up of various crude and refined cotton-seed oils (HS 15122100 and 15122990), which are negligible in volume. One cotton-seed oil product (HS 15122990) shows an extreme price anomaly at $132.75 per kilogram and has been isolated from the main analysis. This structure confirms that trade under HS Code 1512 is primarily for fungible, bulk commodities.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This import structure shows that India's market for Sunflower Seed Oil HS Code 1512 in April 2025 is driven by price-sensitive demand for crude product. The heavy reliance on a single bulk commodity import reduces buyer pricing power and ties costs to global vegetable oil indices. [USDA] confirms a recent policy shift to further encourage these crude oil imports through a duty cut, making this strategic focus even more critical for suppliers.

Check Detailed HS 1512 Breakdown

India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 April Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

India's April 2025 Sunflower Seed Oil imports under HS Code 1512 show a tight geographic concentration, with Russia and Ukraine together supplying over 80% of the total import value. Russia is the clear volume leader, accounting for 58.97% of the weight but only 41.98% of the value, indicating it primarily supplies lower-priced crude oil. Ukraine shows a more balanced profile, providing 43.83% of the weight for 41.85% of the value, suggesting a mix of crude and some higher-value product.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The supplier base forms three clear clusters. The first is the bulk suppliers, Russia and Ukraine, which benefit from geographic proximity and competitive pricing for crude oil. The second is Argentina, which has a minimal quantity share (0.07%) but a large value share (13.21%), pointing to exclusive imports of very high-value, refined specialty oil. The final cluster includes nations like the US, Spain, Germany, and Italy, which have tiny shares and likely represent small, niche shipments of specialized products for specific market segments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For buyers, this heavy reliance on Russia and Ukraine for bulk crude oil creates significant supply chain risk, necessitating a strategy to diversify sources. The recent Indian government policy to cut import duty on crude edible oils from 20% to 10% [USDA] makes this an ideal time to seek new suppliers who can be cost-competitive. For sellers, the high-value niche represented by Argentina and others remains a stable, though limited, opportunity for premium products.

Table: India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) Top Partner Countries (Source: yTrade)

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India Sunflower Seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 April Import: Action Plan for Sunflower Seed Oil Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Sunflower Seed Oil Import 2025 April market under HS Code 1512 is a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by global vegetable oil indices and geopolitical stability in key supply regions. Supply chain security is the primary implication due to heavy reliance on Russia and Ukraine for crude oil. India's role is as a major processing hub for crude imports.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Sunflower Seed Oil Market Execution

• Use real-time trade data to identify alternative crude oil suppliers beyond Russia and Ukraine. This reduces supply chain vulnerability to regional disruptions.
• Target high-frequency, high-value buyers with competitive bulk pricing. This secures large-volume contracts and ensures stable revenue.
• Monitor global vegetable oil price indices daily to time purchases during market dips. This lowers procurement costs significantly.
• Analyze niche buyer segments for potential refined oil opportunities. This diversifies revenue streams beyond bulk crude trade.

Final Note: Success in the India Sunflower Seed Oil Import 2025 April market requires data-driven agility. Traditional methods fail to capture real-time buyer behavior and sub-supply chain risks. Leverage detailed trade intelligence to execute this plan effectively.

Take Action Now —— Explore India Sunflower Seed Oil Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Sunflower Seed Oil Import 2025 April?

India's April 2025 sunflower seed oil imports saw a 0.8% value increase but a 14.2% volume drop, reflecting higher unit prices or a shift toward premium products. The market is heavily reliant on crude sunflower oil (97% of import value), with recent policy changes like the import duty cut from 20% to 10% expected to boost future crude oil imports.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Sunflower Seed Oil Import 2025 April?

Russia and Ukraine dominate, supplying over 80% of India’s sunflower seed oil imports by value. Russia leads in volume (58.97% of weight), while Ukraine balances volume (43.83%) and value (41.85%). Argentina holds a niche share (13.21% value) for high-value refined oil.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Sunflower Seed Oil Import 2025 April partner countries?

Price differences stem from product grades: Russia and Ukraine primarily supply low-cost crude oil ($3.99/kg), while Argentina’s high-value refined oils (e.g., $132.75/kg for cotton-seed oil) skew unit prices. Bulk crude imports dominate, making up 97% of trade.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Sunflower Seed Oil?

Importers should prioritize securing contracts with high-value, high-frequency buyers (96.26% of market value) while diversifying suppliers to reduce reliance on Russia and Ukraine. The duty cut on crude oils makes bulk purchases more cost-effective.

Q5. What does this India Sunflower Seed Oil import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers of crude oil (e.g., Russia/Ukraine) have stable demand but face pricing pressure, while niche refiners (e.g., Argentina) can target premium segments. The duty cut opens opportunities for new suppliers to compete on bulk crude shipments.

Q6. How is Sunflower Seed Oil typically used in this trade flow?

India’s imports are overwhelmingly crude, unrefined sunflower oil (97% of value), used as a bulk commodity for price-sensitive food and industrial applications. Refined oils (2.85% share) cater to specialized or premium consumer markets.