Partnership between Nampula Government and SEA for Uninterrupted Supply of Oilseeds and Edible Oil

Mumbai: A Statement of Mutual Interest has been signed between the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA)—an apex body of the Indian vegetable oil industry and trade—the government of Mozambique's Nampula province, and Solidaridad Network Asia and Solidaridad Southern Africa.

The initiative aims to identify and utilize a sustainable corridor for the movement of oilseeds and vegetable oil between Nampula and India. A key objective of this effort is to develop new and responsible sources of oilseeds and edible oils for India while simultaneously encouraging local processing activities, farmer participation, and investment opportunities in Mozambique. Mozambique is located in East Africa, and Nampula is one of its provinces.

India is the world's largest importer of edible oils and is increasingly looking towards Africa to meet its import needs; the oilseed corridor pact between Nampula province and the Indian industry has been established in this context.

The Governor of Nampula has invited Indian processors to invest in the oilseed crushing, processing, and refining sectors in the region. This move aims to facilitate the export of edible oils to India while creating new employment opportunities within Nampula.

Indian processors and refiners are actively seeking new sources of edible oil supply, and Mozambique has emerged as a key focus area in this regard. The agreement explicitly states that no harm will be caused to forests in Nampula and that support will be provided to farmers.