Edible oil imports of India, the world's largest importer, have touched an all-time high of 51.14 lakh tonnes in November-October 2002-03, up 16 per cent over last year's 44.25 lakh tonnes.
This is the first time since the commodity's imports were placed under the open general licence in 1994 that edible oil imports have crossed 50 lakh tonnes in a single year, which was due to the worst drought in more than hundred years in 2003 thereby badly hitting the domestic oilseeds output.
According to the latest data released on Friday by the Solvent Extractors Association, imports, however, fell in October to 3.86 lakh tonnes from 3.9 lakh tonnes in the same month last year.
SEA's executive director B V Mehta said imports touched a record high despite having slowed down in the August-October period after projection of a good oilseeds crop during the current kharif season and change in 'carotene' norms for crude palm oil imports.