Govt hikes import duty on crude, refined palm oil.

Crude palm oil to 15 per cent from 7.5 per cent. Refined to 25 per cent from 15 per cent. Soya and sunflower have been raised to 17.5 per cent from 12.5 per cent. The hike in import duty of crude and refined palm oil will help restrict cheaper imports from Malaysia and Indonesia and benefit farmers which are in distress due to fall in prices of oilseeds below minimum support price because of bumper production.