New Delhi:The Centre has reduced the agri-cess for Crude Palm Oil (CPO), in an attempt to provide relief to consumers and keep in check the further rise in prices of domestic edible oils. The Government of India has reduced the agri-cess for CPO from 7.5% to 5% with effect from 12 February 2022.
After the reduction of the agri-cess, the import tax gap between CPO and Refined Palm Oil has increased to 8.25%. The increase in the gap between the CPO and Refined Palm Oil will benefit the domestic refining industry in importing Crude Oil for refining.
Another pre-emptive measure taken by the government to check the prices of edible oils is to extend the current basic rate of import duty of zero per cent on Crude Palm Oil, Crude Soyabean oil and Crude Sunflower Oil till 30th September 2022. The current rate of import duty on Refined Palm Oils at 12.5%, Refined Soyabean oil and Refined Sunflower Oil at 17.5% will remain in force up to 30th September 2022. This measure will help in cooling down the prices of edible oils which are witnessing an upward trend in the international market due to lower availability and other international factors.
These steps are expected to augment the earlier measure taken by the Government viz. the stock limit order dated 3rd February 2022 vide which the Government had specified the stock limit quantities on edible oils and oilseeds for a period up to 30th June 2022 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This, in turn, is expected to curtail any unfair practices like hoarding, black marketing etc. of edible oils and oilseeds in the market, which may lead to an increase in the prices of edible oils.
