reasons, mainly the seasonal availability of raw material, the total capacity utilization of the
edible oil industry is around 35 per cent as per estimates given by the Solvent Extractors
Association of India.
Ban on Export of Edible Oils
Exports of edible oils has been banned from March 2008 with certain exemptions i.e.,
coconut oil from all Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) ports and through notified Land Customs
Stations (LCS), castor oil, organic edible oils and certain oils produced from minor forest
produce. Further, export of edible oil has been permitted in branded consumer packs of upto 5 kg
subject to Minimum Export Price of USD 900 per tonnes which was reduced from USD 1100 per
tonnes in 2015. Export of rice bran oil in bulk has been allowed from 2015. From 2017,
groundnut oil, sesame oil, soyabean oil and maize (corn oil) have been exempted from the ban.
Import Duty on Edible Oils
As there is a continuous demand in excess over the domestic supply of edible oils, its import
has been resorted to for more than two decades. In order to maintain uninterrupted supply of
edible oils at affordable prices to the consumers and at the same time keeping in mind the interest
of the farmers, industry as well as consumers, import duty on crude and refined edible oils was
raised to 35 and 45 per cent respectively while import duty on olive oil was increased to 40 per
cent. The import duty on crude and palm oil remained at 44 and 54 per cent respectively.
International Cooperation
India is associated with a number of international agencies working in the field of food
related matters. These include World Food Programme (WFP), SAARC Food Bank, Food and
Agricultural Organisation (FAO), International Grains Council (IGC) and International Sugar
Organisation (ISO), etc.
SAARC Food Bank
In pursuance of the decision taken in the 14th SAARC Summit held in New Delhi in 2007,
the Heads of States of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries
signed the agreement to establish the SAARC Food Bank. The Food Bank will supplement
national efforts to provide food security to the people of the region. As per this agreement,
SAARC Food Bank is to have a reserve of foodgrains to be maintained by each member states
consisting of either wheat or rice, or a combination of both as assessed share of the country.
Food and Agricultural Organisation and Committee on World Food
Security
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is one of the largest specialized agencies in the
UN System founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standard of living by
improving agricultural productivity and living conditions of rural population. The Committee on
World Food Security (CFS) serves as a forum in the United Nations System for review and
follow-up of policies concerning world food security, including food production, physical and
economic access to food. India is a member of both FAO and CFS. Committee on World Food
Security (CFS) monitors the progress of implementation of the WFS Plan of Action.