• Oilseed cultivation is undertaken across the country in about 26.00 million ha, covering 72% under rainfed areas and producing around 30.00 million tonnes of oilseeds.

• Nine oilseeds are the primary sources of vegetable oil in the country. Among nine major oilseeds, soybean (39%), groundnut (26%) and rapeseed-mustard (24%), contribute more than 88% of total oilseeds production in the country.

• However, in terms of vegetable oil production, rapeseed-mustard, soybean and groundnut contribute 31%, 26% and 25%, respectively.

• India is heavily dependent on imports to meet its edible oil requirements and is the largest importer of vegetable oils in the world, followed by China and USA. Of all the imported edible oils, share of palm oil is about 60%, followed by soybean oil, with a share of 25% and sunflower oil (12%).

• Import growth in respect of edible oils during the last decade was about 174%.