New Delhi, July 22 -- Duty-free imports of refined edible oils from Nepal to India, the world's largest edible oil importer, surged 17-fold to 804,000 tonnes in 2025 from 47,295 tonnes in 2023. These imports touched 284,976 tonnes in the first five months of 2026, posing a key concern for India's vegetable oil industry. Mint explains the jump in the backdrop of Nepal's limited edible oil domestic production.

According to the industry, the surge in imports from Nepal distorts the domestic edible oil market by creating an uneven playing field for Indian processors.

Imports from Nepal enjoy preferential treatment under the South Asian Free Trade Area agreement, which allows member countries to export eligible goods at concessional or zero ...