India Turns to Alternative Oils Amid Black Sea Disruptions

India is racing to secure supplies of alternative vegetable oils due to disruptions in Black Sea imports from Russia and Ukraine. The country, which accounts for a fifth of global sunflower oil demand, faces delays of up to 60 days on shipments and rising prices.

MK Agrotech Pvt Ltd's director Mannan Khan said attacks in the Black Sea are 'definitely affecting us', with dozens of his company's shipments delayed. To plug the import gaps, he is sourcing sunflower oil from Argentina and Australian canola oil.

The Indian government expects rising demand ahead of the festival season starting next month, which could further tighten a global vegetable oil market facing supply risks from El Niño and higher biofuel demand.