Key Update

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, has made registration mandatory for all edible oil manufacturers, processors, blenders, re-packers, and other stakeholders under the amended Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011 (VOPPA). The amendment, notified in 2025, requires every unit in the edible oil supply chain to register and submit monthly production and stock details through the designated online portal.

Stricter Oversight and Transparency

The revised order aims to bring greater transparency and regulatory control over the edible oil sector. Units failing to register or file their monthly returns will face penal action under the amended provisions. According to the Ministry, these updates will enable real-time monitoring of production, stock, and import data, helping the government assess availability and take timely policy measures.

Industry Response

Officials said that many edible oil units across India have already registered on the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal and are submitting their monthly returns. The system provides accurate data collection and ensures better policy planning to stabilise prices and manage supply.

Why the Move Matters

India imports about 57% of its annual edible oil requirement, amounting to nearly 15.96 million tonnes in 2023–24, worth around ₹1.32 lakh crore. Major imports include palm, soybean, and sunflower oils from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Ukraine, Russia, and Argentina. To maintain domestic availability and curb price fluctuations, the government recently reduced the effective import duty on these oils from 27.5% to 16.5%.

Boosting Domestic Production

India produces mustard, soybean, and groundnut oils domestically, and the new regulation aims to strengthen data-backed policy decisions to support both local production and fair pricing for consumers.

Source: The Financial Express