Edible oils are a major source of nutrition. The fatty acids in edible oils are required by the body as a vehicle for carrying vitamins, and they provide energy which is twice that of the cereals.
Sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil expressed from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds.Groundnut is the major oilseed crop in India accounting for 45% of oilseed area and 55% of oilseed production in the country.Rice bran oil produced is mostly used for industrial purposes particularly in the soap industry and when intended to edible purposes they are further subjected to refining treatment.
Oil seeds occupy a prominent position among the farming commodities in India, perhaps next only to the food crops. India occupies a premier position among the oil seeds producing countries of the world, accounting for about 10 per cent of the total output of vegetable oils and fats. It is the largest producer of ground nut, rapeseed mustard and sesame; second in respect of castor seed production, third in coconut production, forth in cottonseed and fifth in linseed.
With around 8% of world oilseeds production, over 7% of global protein mealproduction, around 4% of world oil meal export, total oilseeds production of 23 mn tonne and 5.6 mn tonne of edible oil production, India is the fourth largest edible oil economy in the world valued at USD 16.5 bn (Rs. 660 bn).Thus, due to demand it is a good project for entrepreneurs to invest.
Few Indian Major Players are as under
• 3 F Industries Ltd.
• A D M Agro Inds. Latur&Vizag Pvt. Ltd.
• Acalmar Oils & Fats Ltd.
• Dhara Vegetable Oil & Foods Co. Ltd.
• EmamiAgrotech Ltd.
• Gemini Edibles & Fats India Pvt. Ltd.