Bangladesh's Edible Oil Imports to Reach 2.53 Million Tonnes in 2026-27

Bangladesh's reliance on imported edible oils is set to continue, with the country projected to import 2.53 million tonnes in 2026-27, up from 2.30 million tonnes in 2024-25.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service report also forecasts a rise in domestic consumption of vegetable oils to 3.67 million tonnes in 2026-27, up from 3.53 million tonnes in 2025-26.

Palm oil dominates Bangladesh's import basket, with imports projected at 1.75 million tonnes in 2026-27, unchanged from 2025-26. Global supply of palm oil is concentrated among a handful of producers, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, which together account for the overwhelming majority of global production.

Agro-economist Dr Jahangir Alam warned that dependence on imports is detrimental to Bangladesh, and called for greater emphasis on producing its own edible oil, particularly mustard oil. He suggested increasing domestic oilseed production, investing in the sector, and encouraging farmers through subsidies and support prices.