Agriculture ministry launches first-ever national edible oil consumption survey

Survey on Indian edible oil consumption patterns to inform policy decisions and NMEO-Oilseeds programme.

The Union agriculture ministry has launched its first-ever survey to assess edible oil consumption patterns in India, aiming to effectively implement the new Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a senior government official said.

The 45-day questionnaire-based survey, which began on January 9, will continue until February 23. The initiative comes as India - the world's largest consumer and importer of edible oils - lacks recent data on consumption patterns.

"The survey aims to capture the consumption pattern and choice of edible oils, which will help in policy decisions," the official told PTI.

Industry reports indicate that per capita annual consumption of edible oil has risen to over 20 kg in India, significantly exceeding the recommended limits of 12 kg by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and 13 kg by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This marks a substantial increase from 2.9 kg in 1950-60, driven by factors such as rising incomes, urbanisation, and changing dietary habits.

The comprehensive survey focuses on household cooking oil preferences and includes questions about demographic details, domicile, and residence type.

It explores specific aspects such as types of oils used, deep-frying frequency, seasonal usage patterns, and factors influencing oil selection, including health benefits and price considerations.