India Sunflower-seed Oil HS1512 Import Data 2025 July Overview

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 July Import: Key Takeaways

India's sunflower-seed oil (HS Code 1512) imports in July 2025 reveal Ukraine as the dominant supplier, providing nearly half the volume, with Argentina offering higher-value refined oil and Russia supplying cost-effective crude. The market shows stable demand, driven by India's reduced import duties, but geopolitical risks in Black Sea routes warrant diversification. Buyer concentration remains moderate, with key suppliers ensuring reliable supply chains. This analysis covers July 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 July Import Background

What is HS Code 1512?

HS Code 1512 covers sunflower-seed, safflower, or cotton-seed oil and their fractions, whether refined or not, but not chemically modified. This product is primarily used in food processing, cooking oil production, and industrial applications, driven by stable global demand for edible oils. India’s reliance on imports for these oils underscores their significance in meeting domestic consumption needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In July 2025, India’s sunflower-seed oil imports (HS Code 1512) were shaped by a May 2025 policy reducing the basic customs duty on crude edible oils from 20% to 10% [sjexim.services]. This move aimed to lower costs for refiners while maintaining higher tariffs on refined oils to protect local producers. As a key importer, India’s sunflower-seed oil trade remains sensitive to global price fluctuations and domestic policy adjustments, necessitating close market monitoring.

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 July Import: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In July 2025, India's imports of Sunflower-seed oil under HS Code 1512 totaled 650.27 million USD in value with a volume of 172.72 million kg, marking a notable decrease from the previous month's surge.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The July figures show a significant month-over-month decline, with value dropping by approximately 28% and volume by 27% compared to June 2025. This pullback follows a sharp increase in June, where imports spiked to 903.18 million USD and 235.22 million kg, likely driven by stock replenishment after the import duty reduction in late May. For India Sunflower-seed oil HS Code 1512 Import 2025 July, the trend reflects typical market adjustment post-policy stimulus, with importers likely front-loading purchases to capitalize on lower duties before stabilizing orders.

External Context and Outlook

The duty cut on crude edible oils to 10% basic customs duty in May 2025 [CBIC Notifies] directly fueled the June import surge, but July's decline indicates a return to equilibrium as initial pent-up demand eased. With refined oil duties remaining high to protect domestic processors, crude imports under HS Code 1512 are expected to stay elevated but volatile, influenced by global price shifts and seasonal demand cycles in the coming months (CBIC Notifies).

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 July Import: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In July 2025, India's import of sunflower-seed oil under HS Code 1512 is overwhelmingly dominated by crude oil. According to yTrade data, the sub-code 15121110 for crude sunflower-seed oil not chemically modified accounts for 99% of the value and weight, with a unit price of 3.78 USD per kilogram. This high concentration highlights a strong specialization in low-value, bulk crude oil imports. An extreme price anomaly is present in sub-code 15122990 for other cotton-seed oil, priced at 127.08 USD per kilogram, but it is isolated from the main analysis due to minimal volume.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two clear categories based on processing stage: crude oils and refined or other oils. Crude oils, like 15121110 and 15122100, make up the bulk of imports with lower unit prices, indicating a trade in fungible bulk commodities likely linked to global price indices. Refined or other oils, such as 15121910 and 15121990, have slightly higher unit prices but negligible shares, suggesting limited demand for value-added products in this market.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This structure implies that market players in India Sunflower-seed oil HS Code 1512 Import 2025 July face low pricing power due to heavy reliance on standardized crude oil, which is price-sensitive to international markets. The recent duty reduction on crude edible oils to 10% basic customs duty, as reported in the [USDA Report], supports increased import volumes but reinforces competitive pricing pressures, urging focus on cost efficiency over product differentiation.

Check Detailed HS 1512 Breakdown

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 July Import: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

For India Sunflower-seed oil HS Code 1512 Import 2025 July, Ukraine is the dominant supplier, accounting for nearly half the import value and weight. The close match between Ukraine's value ratio (49.93) and weight ratio (48.39) suggests a standard, commodity-grade oil with consistent pricing. In contrast, Argentina shows a higher value per weight (value ratio 24.72 vs. weight ratio 17.76), indicating possible refined or higher-quality oil, while Russia's lower value per weight (value ratio 23.78 vs. weight ratio 31.99) points to crude or bulk shipments.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top suppliers form three clusters: first, Ukraine, Argentina, and Russia, which are major global producers with strong agricultural export infrastructures, ensuring reliable volume and competitive pricing. Second, Nepal stands out with high shipment frequency but minimal value and weight, likely due to small-scale or cross-border trade for local consumption. Third, countries like Spain, Benin, and the US contribute negligible amounts, possibly representing niche or refined oil imports for specific market segments.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Importers should prioritize securing contracts with key suppliers like Ukraine and Russia for cost-effective crude oil, especially after India's duty reduction to 10% for crude edible oils in May 2025 [SJ Exim Services], which lowers import costs. Diversifying sources to include Argentina for refined oil can mitigate geopolitical risks, such as tensions affecting Black Sea routes, while monitoring Nepal for potential re-export opportunities.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 July Import: Action Plan for Sunflower-seed Oil Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The India Sunflower-seed oil Import 2025 July market under HS Code 1512 operates as a classic bulk commodity trade. Price is primarily driven by global benchmark indices for crude vegetable oils and geopolitical stability in key supply regions like the Black Sea. India's recent reduction of import duties on crude edible oils to 10% intensifies price competition but supports volume growth. Supply chain implications center on securing reliable crude oil shipments for domestic refining, with minimal focus on value-added products. The market's extreme concentration among a few high-volume buyers and suppliers creates both efficiency and vulnerability to supply or policy shocks.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Sunflower-seed oil Market Execution

• Secure long-term contracts with top Ukrainian and Russian suppliers to lock in competitive crude oil pricing and ensure volume stability, mitigating spot market volatility.
• Diversify 10-15% of volume to Argentine suppliers for higher-grade oil options, reducing over-reliance on Black Sea routes and potential geopolitical disruptions.
• Use buyer frequency data to align shipment schedules with key clients' stock cycles, optimizing inventory turnover and reducing storage costs for bulk operations.
• Monitor Indian customs duty bulletins monthly to anticipate policy changes impacting landed costs, allowing proactive pricing adjustments before competitors react.

Keywords

India Sunflower-seed oil Import 2025 July, HS Code 1512

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in India Sunflower-seed oil Import 2025 July?

The July 2025 decline in imports (-28% value, -27% volume vs. June) reflects a market correction after a June surge triggered by India's May 2025 duty cut to 10% on crude edible oils. The drop suggests importers front-loaded purchases to capitalize on lower costs before stabilizing orders.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this India Sunflower-seed oil Import 2025 July?

Ukraine dominates with 49.93% of import value, followed by Argentina (24.72%) and Russia (23.78%). These three suppliers account for over 98% of total imports, with Ukraine and Russia specializing in bulk crude oil and Argentina in higher-value refined oil.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across India Sunflower-seed oil Import 2025 July partner countries?

Price differences stem from product grade: Ukraine and Russia supply low-cost crude oil (e.g., HS 15121110 at 3.78 USD/kg), while Argentina’s higher-value ratio suggests refined oils. An outlier sub-code (15122990) priced at 127.08 USD/kg exists but has negligible volume.

Q4. What should importers in India focus on when buying Sunflower-seed oil?

Importers must prioritize bulk contracts with Ukraine and Russia for cost-efficient crude oil, while diversifying with Argentina for refined oil to mitigate geopolitical risks. Maintaining relationships with high-volume buyers (98.24% of trade value) is critical due to extreme market concentration.

Q5. What does this India Sunflower-seed oil import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers like Ukraine and Russia have stable demand for bulk crude oil but face pricing pressure due to India’s duty-driven competition. Argentina’s niche in refined oils offers higher margins but limited volume. Small suppliers (e.g., Nepal) play minimal roles in cross-border trade.

Q6. How is Sunflower-seed oil typically used in this trade flow?

India primarily imports crude sunflower-seed oil (99% of volume) for bulk edible oil consumption, likely blended or repackaged for domestic retail. Refined oils (e.g., HS 15121910) serve niche segments but represent negligible demand.