India is rushing to secure alternative supplies of edible oil as attacks in the Black Sea region delay sunflower oil shipments from Russia and Ukraine by up to 60 days. The disruption comes just ahead of the festival season, raising concerns over availability and higher cooking oil prices in the domestic market.

India is the world’s largest buyer of sunflower oil, and the Black Sea region is a critical source for its imports. Around 1 million tonnes of sunflower oil imported by India in the first half of 2026 came from the region. Russia and Ukraine together accounted for around 63% of global sunflower oil exports last season.

With shipments getting delayed, Indian importers are looking beyond traditional suppliers. One trader has shifted nearly half of its sunflower oil sourcing to Argentina and is also increasing its purchases of canola oil from Australia. Other buyers are turning to palm and soybean oil to fill the supply gap.

The change is visible in import expectations. Palm oil imports are expected to rise to around 700,000 tonnes in July, while soybean oil arrivals could reach nearly 500,000 tonnes a month. Domestic sunflower oil prices have already climbed 6% this month, making the cheaper alternatives more attractive.

The supply pressure is being compounded by India’s weaker oilseed planting due to below-average monsoon rainfall. At the same time, global vegetable oil markets are facing additional risks from hotter weather and rising biodiesel demand in major palm oil producing countries.

For consumers, the combination of festival demand, import delays and weaker domestic output could keep edible oil prices firm. Importers are therefore likely to continue diversifying suppliers and increasing purchases of palm, soy and canola until Black Sea shipments return to normal.

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