Asia-pacific Vegetable Oil Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Asia-Pacific Vegetable Oil Market Trends and Insights

Rising popularity of fried, fast, and convenience foods

The Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market is growing steadily as fried, fast, and convenience foods become a regular part of diets in both households and the food service sector. In India, approximately 38% of consumers frequently consume fried snacks and processed foods, as reported by Down To Earth Org in May 2024^{[1]Source: Down To Earth Org, "38% Indians Consume Fried Snacks And Processed Foods, Only 28% Consume Healthy Food", downtoearth.org.in}. Advancements in cold chain infrastructure across the region are enabling businesses to purchase larger quantities of oils while minimizing spoilage risks. Many quick-service restaurant chains are gradually introducing blends of sunflower oil and rice bran oil to offer healthier alternatives with lower saturated fat content. In Japan, the hotel, restaurant, and institutional food service industry experienced growth of approximately 16% in 2023, reaching a market size of around USD 226.2 billion, as per the United States Department of Agriculture^{[2]Source: United States Department of Agriculture, "Biofuels Annual", apps.fas.usda.gov}. This growth highlights the rising demand for high-performance oils that can endure repeated heating without compromising quality. 

Strong growth of biodiesel and renewable fuel programs

Biodiesel and renewable fuel mandates are significantly influencing the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market. For example, Indonesia’s B40 program, as reported by the East Asia Forum Organization, redirected around 13.9 million tonnes of crude palm oil from food-related uses in 2024^{[3]Source: East Asia Forum Organization, "Indonesia’s Biofuel Bet Risks Backfiring", eastasiaforum.org}. The country is also moving forward with trials for its B50 program, which aims to further increase the blending of biodiesel with conventional fuels. Similarly, Malaysia has implemented its B30 initiative, while Thailand has introduced blending programs ranging from B7 to B20. These efforts reflect a regional push to promote the use of palm-based biodiesel as a renewable energy source. The primary goals of these mandates are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy security by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. These programs create a steady demand for vegetable oils, regardless of changes in food consumption patterns. 

Rising awareness of fortified and heart-healthy oils

Awareness of fortified and heart-healthy oils is growing rapidly across the Asia-Pacific region, driven by mandatory fortification programs in countries like India, Australia, and Vietnam. These programs have increased the demand for oils enriched with nutrients such as omega-3, phytosterols, and fat-soluble vitamins. In China, approximately 50.7% of adults were reported as overweight or obese in 2023, according to PubMed Central^{[4]Source: PubMed Central, "The Impact of Chinese Adults’ Food Literacy on Healthy Eating Intentions Based on the Planned Behaviour Theory", pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov}. This growing health concern is prompting consumers to adopt healthier eating habits, thereby increasing demand for nutrient-rich oil products. Japan and South Korea lead in the consumption of premium oils, such as sesame, perilla, and rice bran oils, which are valued for their antioxidant-rich properties and health benefits. Technological advancements, such as microencapsulation, are enhancing the stability of omega-3 ingredients during high-heat cooking, thereby addressing previous challenges related to oxidative instability in fortified oils. 

Shift towards clean-label and minimally processed oils

The Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market is shifting toward clean-label and minimally processed oils as consumers increasingly prioritize ethical and environmental factors in their purchasing decisions. The demand for cold-pressed and single-origin oils is growing, driven by their perceived health benefits and the expansion of shelf space in major retail chains across Australia, New Zealand, and tier-1 cities in China. To meet these evolving consumer preferences, blockchain-enabled traceability systems are being implemented. Initially adopted by Malaysian plantations to comply with the European Union's regulations on deforestation, these systems are now being extended to retail products. Branded oil packs feature QR codes that enable consumers to trace each bottle back to its farm-level origin, thereby enhancing transparency and trust.  

Negative perception of palm oil due to health and sustainability concerns

In the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market, palm oil is facing growing criticism due to concerns about health and environmental sustainability. Its high saturated fat content has raised health-related concerns among consumers, particularly those focused on heart health, despite studies suggesting it has neutral effects on cardiovascular health when consumed in moderation. Additionally, stricter deforestation regulations in the European Union have increased global scrutiny of palm oil production practices. As a result, many multinational companies in the region are shifting toward using palm oil certified by organizations such as RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) or MSPO (Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil), or are opting for alternative oils that are perceived as more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, audits have revealed compliance issues among smaller palm oil producers, which has further impacted the competitiveness of palm oil. 

Growing interest in functional foods that reduce dependency on added oils

The Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market is facing challenges as consumers increasingly shift toward healthier eating habits and reduce their reliance on added oils. The growing popularity of air fryers in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea is encouraging households to adopt low-fat cooking methods. Food manufacturers are moving toward producing baked snacks and spray-dried seasonings, which require less oil compared to traditional cooking methods. In Japan, older consumers are showing a preference for nutrient-dense foods, while clean eating trends in Australia are further reducing the demand for oil-heavy food products. These changes are leading to a slowdown in the per capita consumption of conventional edible oils. However, despite this trend, there is a growing demand for premium and value-added oil variants, which is helping to offset some of the decline in traditional oil consumption.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Palm Dominance Meets Sunflower Surge

Palm oil is expected to continue dominating the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market in 2024, accounting for approximately 55.38% of the market share. Its strong demand is driven by its extensive use in cooking, packaged foods, and food services. Biodiesel programs, such as Indonesia’s B40 initiative, have significantly boosted industrial demand, redirecting approximately 13.9 million tonnes of crude palm oil from edible uses. This dual demand from both the food and fuel sectors ensures steady growth, making the palm oil market less vulnerable to changes in edible oil consumption trends.

Sunflower oil is emerging as the fastest-growing product in the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market, with a projected CAGR of nearly 7.57% through 2030. Its popularity is increasing due to its health benefits, such as being heart-friendly and having a lighter flavor, which appeals to health-conscious consumers. The rapid growth of modern retail channels in countries like Australia, India, China, and Southeast Asia has made sunflower oil more accessible to a wider audience. As consumers shift toward oils with lower saturated fat content, sunflower oil is gaining traction in both premium and mid-range market segments across the region.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Application: Food Channels Lead, Non-Food Accelerates

In 2024, food applications accounted for approximately 75.84% of the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market, highlighting their importance in the region. The food processing industry drives this demand by using vegetable oils in products such as baked goods, snacks, and confectionery, where they serve as spray oils, emulsifiers, and trans fat-free shortenings. The increasing demand for packaged foods and the rapid expansion of food service outlets further contribute to the dominance of edible applications. This steady demand ensures a continuous and reliable need for various types of vegetable oils throughout the year.

Non-food applications are expected to grow at a faster rate, with a projected CAGR of 8.18% through 2030, outpacing the growth of edible uses. This growth is largely driven by the energy and industrial sectors, particularly biodiesel programs such as Indonesia’s B40 and Malaysia’s B30, which require substantial quantities of vegetable oils. These initiatives not only stabilize prices but also attract investments in refining and processing infrastructure. As Southeast Asian countries strengthen their energy policies, non-food applications are expected to play an increasingly important role in the region's overall vegetable oil demand.

Geography Analysis

China accounted for 35.93% of the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market share in 2024, driven by its position as the largest global importer of palm and soybean oils. Tier-1 cities in China are increasingly opting for healthier alternatives, such as sunflower and rapeseed oils. India ranked as the second-largest consumer, while Indonesia and Malaysia dominated regional supply with their integrated plantation-to-refinery systems catering to both edible and biodiesel needs. Japan and South Korea contributed to the premium segment, driven by high demand for sesame, perilla, and rice-bran oils, which are valued for their antioxidant properties. Australia and New Zealand focused on niche markets, offering cold-pressed rapeseed and sunflower oils targeted at affluent consumers. These mature markets set benchmarks for labeling, fortification, and traceability, which smaller markets are beginning to adopt.

India is expected to grow at a 7.84% CAGR through 2030, making it the fastest-growing market in the region. This growth is supported by tariff protections and a government initiative worth Rs 10,100 crore aimed at doubling domestic oilseed production to 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31. Indonesia’s biodiesel policies continue to drive demand, although growth is slowing as studies on engine compatibility influence the transition from B40 to B50 biodiesel blends. Malaysia anticipates steady growth as 95% of its plantations are expected to comply with MSPO Version 2 certification by the end of 2025, aligning with EU deforestation regulations. China is projected to see moderate growth, with rising incomes in smaller cities balancing a shift toward lower-fat cooking methods. Japan and South Korea are experiencing slower growth, but their focus on premium products helps maintain value sales despite stagnant volumes.

Emerging markets such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore are becoming key demand hubs, leveraging free-trade agreements and advanced port logistics to act as transshipment and re-export centers. Thailand has gained prominence after the World Health Organization endorsed its industrial trans-fat ban in 2024, encouraging local refiners to supply reformulated oils across the Indochina region. Bangladesh and Pakistan are witnessing increased imports due to population growth and rising urban snack consumption, which are expanding their market base. Meanwhile, Cambodia and Laos are opening new opportunities for branded small-pack vegetable oils through the growth of modern retail outlets. These developing markets are focusing on flexible packaging, affordable sachet sizes, and traceability measures to meet diverse regulatory requirements in the Asia-Pacific vegetable oil market.