Soybean oil is Brazil's second most valuable soy export after the bean itself. Two distinct buyer groups drive the trade: refiners importing crude degummed soybean oil (CDSO) for processing at destination, and distributors importing refined oil ready for the consumer market. Knowing which side of that line you sit on determines everything about the contract.
The main destination markets
- India — consistently the largest buyer of South American soybean oil. Indian refiners import CDSO in bulk tankers, refine domestically and sell branded cooking oil. Import duties shift demand between soybean, palm and sunflower oil, so Indian buyers track the duty spread closely.
- China — imports both beans for domestic crushing and, in tighter years, soybean oil directly.
- Bangladesh — a steady CDSO importer for its refining industry centred around Chattogram.
- North Africa & the Middle East — Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Gulf states import both crude and refined oil; Halal certification is routinely requested and readily supplied.
- Latin America & the Caribbean — buyers in Venezuela, Colombia and the Caribbean typically take refined oil in retail or catering packs.
Which grade should you import?
If you operate or have access to a refinery, CDSO is usually the better buy: it travels well, carries a lower price than refined oil, and lets you capture the refining margin. If you supply wholesalers, food service or retail without refining capacity, contract refined oil — in flexitanks for local bottling, or already packed in PET bottles, tins or drums under your label. Our article on degummed vs refined soybean oil covers the technical differences in detail.
How pricing works
Soybean oil is priced against CBOT soybean oil futures plus a physical premium reflecting origin, grade, packaging and freight. Offers are typically quoted FOB Santos/Paranaguá or CFR/CIF destination port, valid for a short window because futures move daily. When you receive an offer, the volume, shipment month and payment terms are as much a part of the price as the dollar figure.
Packaging and shipment options
| Format | Capacity | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk tanker parcel | 3,000–30,000 t | Large refiners (India, Bangladesh) |
| Flexitank in 20' container | ≈ 21 t | Mid-size refiners, bottlers |
| 200 L drums / 1000 L IBC | Container loads | Industrial users, food manufacturers |
| PET bottles & tins | 1–20 L retail/catering | Distributors, supermarket chains |
Documents and quality assurance
Standard sets include commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, certificate of analysis (FFA, moisture, phosphorus for CDSO; colour, peroxide value for refined), health certificate and, where requested, Halal or Kosher certificates. Independent surveyors verify weight and quality at loading; their certificates are final under most contract forms.
Get a current offer
Tell us the grade (CDSO or refined), volume, destination port and target shipment month through the quote form, and our trade desk will reply with a firm, time-bound offer.
Frequently asked questions
What is CDSO?
Crude degummed soybean oil — crude oil with phospholipids removed. It is the standard internationally traded grade bought by refiners.
Can I buy refined soybean oil under my own brand?
Yes. We pack refined oil in PET bottles, tins and drums under private label for distributors and retail chains.
How are soybean oil prices quoted?
Against CBOT soybean oil futures plus a physical premium, on FOB Brazil or CFR/CIF destination terms, with short validity windows.
Further reading
How to import soybean meal from Brazil →Degummed vs refined soybean oil: which should you import? →Shipping agricultural cargo from Brazil: ports, Incoterms and documents →Source it from the producer
Specifications, volume, destination — we quote within one business day.