Survey of per capita consumption of vegetable oil in India

To analyse the domestic consumption pattern of vegetable oils, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, undertook an online survey through Google forms. The survey aimed at generating estimates of average household monthly per capita consumption of vegetable oils, distribution based on urban or rural households, average consumption by income groups, most preferred type of oil and brand by consumers, crop-wise percentage of consumers, food habits and consumption of the same oil or multiple oils throughout the year. Results indicated that rural households consumed 15.6 kg of oil per person per annum, whereas urban households consumed 12.4 kg. Non-vegetarians (64%) consumed 14.2 kg of oil per person per annum, whereas vegetarians (36%) consumed 12.6 kg. Mustard oil was most preferred in the north (61%) and east (35%) zones of India, followed by sunflower oil. About 28% of people in the west zone consumed soybean oil, followed by mustard oil (25%) and sunflower (25%) oil. Sunflower oil (44%) was the most popular oil in the southern zone, followed by groundnut oil (29%). Total per capita consumption of oil, including other purposes, was 14.43 kg per annum.