India Sunflower-seed Oil HS1512 Import Data 2025 May Overview

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

India’s sunflower-seed oil imports (HS Code 1512) in May 2025 reveal a market dominated by Russia, supplying nearly half the volume as a low-cost crude oil supplier, with Ukraine and Argentina filling distinct price segments. The high geographic concentration underscores reliance on a few key partners, while the recent duty cut to 10% for crude oils signals potential growth in bulk imports. This analysis, covering May 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

India Sunflower-seed Oil (HS 1512) 2025 May 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. These edible oils are primarily used in food processing, cooking, and industrial applications, driven by consistent demand from India's growing population and food industry. Their stability in global trade stems from essential dietary needs and versatile industrial uses.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In May 2025, India reduced import duties on crude edible oils under HS Code 1512 from 20% to 10%, lowering the effective rate to 16.5% to combat inflation and stabilize domestic prices [FAS USDA]. Refined oils retained higher duties (~35.75%), incentivizing crude oil imports for local refining. India's strategic reliance on sunflower-seed oil imports under HS 1512 reflects its deficit in domestic oilseed production and rising consumer demand. Market vigilance is critical as policy shifts and global supply dynamics influence India's 2025 trade landscape.

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

Key Observations

In May 2025, India's imports of sunflower-seed oil under HS Code 1512 reached a value of 567.97 million USD with a volume of 151.84 million kg, indicating a rebound from previous months.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The import value and volume for India Sunflower-seed oil HS Code 1512 rose by approximately 4% and 10% month-over-month from April to May 2025, reversing a declining trend from early in the year. This increase aligns with typical edible oil industry cycles, where import volumes often build ahead of seasonal demand peaks, such as pre-monsoon stocking to ensure supply stability. The policy shift in late May further supported this upward momentum.

External Context and Outlook

The Indian government's reduction of import duty on crude edible oils from 20% to 10% on May 30, 2025, as reported by the [USDA Report], directly lowered costs for importers, explaining the volume surge in May. This move aims to combat domestic inflation and boost refining activity, likely sustaining higher import levels through mid-2025.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for India Sunflower-seed oil HS Code 1512 Import in 2025 May, the market is overwhelmingly dominated by crude sunflower oil under code 15121110, described as "Vegetable oils; sunflower seed or safflower oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified." This sub-code accounts for 97.6% of the import value and 97.1% of the weight, with a unit price of 3.76 USD per kilogram. An anomaly exists with code 15122990, which has a negligible value and missing unit price, so it is excluded from the main analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two clear value-add stages: crude oils and refined oils. Code 15121910, for refined sunflower oil, has a lower unit price of 3.14 USD per kilogram and a small value share of 2.2%, while code 15122100 for crude cotton-seed oil is minor. This structure indicates a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where the primary differentiation is based on processing stage rather than brand or high customization.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The heavy reliance on crude oil imports suggests that Indian buyers focus on cost-effective sourcing for domestic refining. The recent duty reduction on crude edible oils to 10% in May 2025 [USDA] enhances pricing power for crude importers, making it a strategic priority over refined oils, which face higher duties.

Check Detailed HS 1512 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, India's sunflower-seed oil imports under HS Code 1512 were highly concentrated, with Russia as the dominant supplier, accounting for 48.59% of import value and 53.83% of weight. The lower value ratio compared to weight ratio suggests Russia primarily exports lower-unit-price crude oil, around 3.38 USD/kg, indicating a bulk commodity flow rather than refined products.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import patterns form three clusters: Russia and Ukraine together supply over 80% of volume with low unit prices (2.87-3.38 USD/kg), driven by their role as major crude oil producers and geopolitical proximity. Argentina stands out with a high unit price of 13.46 USD/kg, likely due to refined or specialty oil exports. Smaller players like Nepal and Benin contribute minimal volumes, possibly serving as transit points or niche markets.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The recent duty cut to 10% for crude edible oils [USDA] will likely boost crude oil imports from Russia and Ukraine, making them key partners. Indian refiners should secure long-term contracts for crude supply, while suppliers must focus on cost-efficient logistics to capitalize on increased demand.

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

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

India Sunflower-seed oil Import under HS Code 1512 in 2025 May is a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by global crude oil supply costs and India's recent duty cut to 10% for crude edible oils. This policy favors crude imports for domestic refining. Supply chain implications focus on securing high-volume, low-cost crude flows from key regions like Russia and Ukraine. Heavy buyer concentration creates reliance on major refiners, increasing vulnerability to demand shifts or geopolitical disruptions.

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

• Target dominant high-volume buyers with bulk pricing offers to capture 85% of market value and build stable long-term partnerships.
• Monitor real-time shipment data from Russia and Ukraine to anticipate supply fluctuations and secure competitive crude oil contracts.
• Analyze buyer transaction frequency to align your sales cycles with their regular import patterns and avoid missed opportunities.
• Track India’s duty policy updates monthly to adjust your pricing strategy for crude vs. refined oil and maximize cost advantage.

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 May?

India's sunflower-seed oil imports surged in May 2025 due to a 10% import duty cut on crude edible oils, boosting volume by 10% and value by 4% month-over-month. The rebound aligns with pre-monsoon stocking and reflects a strategic shift toward cost-effective crude oil sourcing for domestic refining.

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

Russia dominates with 48.6% of import value, followed by Ukraine, together supplying over 80% of volume. Argentina is a niche supplier with high-priced refined oil, while smaller players like Nepal and Benin contribute minimally.

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

Price gaps stem from product grade: Russia and Ukraine export crude oil at ~3.38 USD/kg, while Argentina’s refined oil commands 13.46 USD/kg. Crude oil (97.6% of imports) is priced lower due to bulk commodity trade dynamics.

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

Importers should prioritize bulk contracts with dominant buyers (85.6% of value) and secure long-term crude oil supply from Russia/Ukraine, leveraging the 10% duty cut. Smaller distributors should maintain steady shipments to avoid volatility.

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

Suppliers must emphasize cost-efficient logistics for bulk crude oil to meet India’s refining demand. Russia and Ukraine hold pricing power, while Argentina can target premium refined oil niches.

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

Imports are primarily crude oil (97.6% share) for domestic refining into edible oil, reflecting India’s focus on cost-efficient bulk processing rather than branded or high-end products.