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Engaged in the development and promotion of exports of oilseeds, oils and oilcakes, Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC), erstwhile known as IOPEA, has been catering to the needs of exporters since over half a decade. Besides focusing on exports, the Council also works towards strengthening of domestic supply chain by encouraging farmers, shellers, processors, surveyors and exporters to enhance the quality of oilseeds in India.
Formerly known as IOPEA, it was formed on 23 rd June 1956, at a preliminary meeting held in Bombay under the Presidentship of late Shri Lalji Mehrotra, former President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and India's one time ambassador to Myanmar and Japan.
The formation of IOPEA was, in fact, the first organized effort to promote and protect the interests of India 's export trade in commodities like Oilseeds, Vegetable Oils and Oilcakes in a collective and concerted manner through a representative body. With subsequent setting up of sectoral Associations for different oilcakes and extraction cakes, IOPEPC concentrated it's attention and activities mainly on productivity and export of oilseeds and vegetable oils. IOPEPC is thus the pioneer body for oilseeds and oils in the country.
IOPEPC has come a long way since then. Eminent personalities like late Shri Naval H. Tata of the House of Tatas and late Shri Babubhai Raja of Raja Oil Mills gave it a flying start as founder President and founder Chairman and the galaxy of senior as well as young and dynamic office bearers who lined up steadfastly and enthusiastically all these years, served the trade and industry so well that it brought forth recognition to IOPEA not only at the National level but also at the International level. Shri Ratilal M. Gandhi, freedom fighter and a close associate of Sardar Patel and other national leaders, who was President of the Indian Merchants' Chamber and founder chairman of the Central Organisation for Oil Industry and Trade and Shri P.L. Tandon, former Chairman of M/s Hindustan Lever Ltd., State Trading Corporation of India and Punjab National Bank have been past Presidents of IOPEA.
As an association in the past and as an Export Promotion Council (EPC), recognized by Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, presently, IOPEPC serves as the common forum for the Indian oilseeds/ vegetable oils exporters, foreign buyers, the Indian Government, R & D agencies for oilseeds and vegetable oils in India, International agencies and many other official bodies and authorities globally.
Since 1991, IOPEPC has been functioning as the Indian liaison office of FOSFA International, London and is also a kindred Association Member of FOSFA. The Peanut Councils of developed countries like Germany, Netherlands, UK and USA have already recognized IOPEPC as the main representative from India.