Palm oil remained the world's most widely consumed edible oil in 2025, with global imports valued at approximately US$48.9 billion.

Although international demand remained substantial, total spending on imported palm oil declined 5.6% compared with US$51.8 billion recorded in 2021. However, on a year-over-year basis, the market rebounded strongly, with import value increasing 12.9% from US$43.3 billion in 2024.

Extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, palm oil is widely used in food manufacturing, household cooking, processed foods, margarine, confectionery products, cosmetics, and biodiesel production. Its versatility and competitive price continue to make it one of the most traded vegetable oils worldwide.

The largest palm oil importers in 2025 were India, Pakistan, mainland China, the Netherlands, and the United States. Together, these five countries accounted for 39.5% of global palm oil imports by value.

Palm Oil Imports by Region

Asia remained the largest importing region, purchasing palm oil worth US$28.2 billion, representing 57.8% of worldwide imports.

The regional distribution of palm oil imports in 2025 was:

· Asia — 57.8%

· Europe — 17.0%

· Africa — 16.8%

· North America — 5.2%

· Latin America and the Caribbean — 2.8%

· Oceania — 0.4%

Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea were the primary palm oil importers within Oceania.

For customs classification, palm oil and its fractions—whether refined or not—are identified under HS Code 1511.

Top Palm Oil Importing Countries

The following countries imported the highest value of palm oil during 2025:

1. India — US$8.3 billion (17.0%)

2. Pakistan — US$3.8 billion (7.8%)

3. Mainland China — US$3.5 billion (7.2%)

4. Netherlands — US$1.85 billion (3.8%)

5. United States — US$1.81 billion (3.7%)

6. Bangladesh — US$1.7 billion (3.5%)

7. Egypt — US$1.5 billion (3.1%)

8. Philippines — US$1.48 billion (3.0%)

9. Vietnam — US$1.11 billion (2.3%)

10. Kenya — US$1.05 billion (2.1%)

11. Italy — US$988.6 million (2.0%)

12. Russia — US$986.1 million (2.0%)

13. Saudi Arabia — US$903.8 million (1.8%)

14. Germany — US$867.6 million (1.8%)

15. Türkiye — US$845.9 million (1.7%)

These fifteen countries together accounted for 62.9% of global palm oil imports in 2025, highlighting the concentration of demand among a relatively limited number of major importing markets.

Fastest-Growing Palm Oil Import Markets

Several countries experienced significant increases in palm oil imports compared with 2024.

The fastest-growing import markets included:

· Philippines — +44.7%

· Bangladesh — +31.0%

· Pakistan — +30.6%

· Netherlands — +20.5%

Meanwhile, a few major buyers reduced their import spending during the same period:

· Italy — -27.7%

· India — -3.9%

· United States — -3.9%

· Germany — -1.0%

Top Palm Oil Import Companies

According to Tendata's Global Trade Intelligence Platform, the following companies ranked among the world's leading palm oil importers in 2025:

1. RUCHI SOYA INDUSTRIES LTD — 20.49% (US$10,955.41 million)

2. ADANI WILMAR LIMITED — 5.50% (US$2,942.34 million)

3. EMAMI AGROTECH LIMITED — 4.89% (US$2,612.33 million)

4. GOKUL AGRO RESOURCES LIMITED — 4.30% (US$2,299.91 million)

5. GOLDEN AGRI INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD — 1.77% (US$945.65 million)

6. SMILE FOOD PRODUCTS LIMITED — 1.67% (US$890.20 million)

7. CARGILL INDIA PVT LTD — 1.34% (US$716.69 million)

8. SHABNAM VEGETABLE OIL INDUSTRIES — 1.20% (US$641.12 million)

9. BUNGE INDIA PVT LTD — 1.12% (US$599.50 million)

10. SOUTH INDIA KRISHNA OIL AND FATS PVT LTD — 1.04% (US$557.20 million)

>>Find More Palm Oil Importers through Tendata<<

With Tendata's verified customs data and AI-powered trade intelligence, importers, exporters, and manufacturers can identify active palm oil buyers, analyze purchasing trends, monitor key import markets, and connect with qualified business partners across the global edible oils industry.