

Mint Explainer | Why PM Modi is asking Indians to cut cooking oil consumption
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.In his recent public addresses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to reduce the use of imported oils—both crude and edible—as part of broader austerity measures aimed at conserving foreign exchange. The appeal comes amid a widening current account deficit (CAD) and a weakening rupee.But what does the conflict in West Asia, a key hub for crude oil and natural gas production, have to do with cooking oil? The answer lies in interconnected commodity markets and India’s heavy dependence on imported edible oils. Mint explains:PM Modi urged households to cut cooking oil consumption by about 10%, arguing it would benefit both public health and the national economy.
India imports nearly 60% of its edible oil requirement.The import bill has risen sharply. In the 2024–25 oil year (November–October), India spent over ₹1.6 trillion on palm, soy and sunflower oil imports, roughly equal to the Centre’s annual agriculture spending, excluding fertilizer subsidies. In 2019–20, the bill was about ₹72,000 crore.Imports continue to climb.
Vegetable oil shipments rose 8% year-on-year between November 2025 and March 2026, while rupee depreciation has made imports costlier.Yes. Edible oil prices rose 5.9% month-on-month in April, reaching their highest level since July 2022, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s world food price index. Prices of palm, soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils all increased.Prices of palm oil, which forms the bulk of India’s edible oil imports, have risen for five straight months.
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