Agriculture

India’s Oilmeal Exports Drop 28.5% in April‑August, Soymeal Sales Slump

By PTI

India’s oilmeal exports, largely used for animal feed, fell 28.51% in the April‑August period of the current financial year to 12.82 lakh tonnes, according to the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA). Exports were 17.93 lakh tonnes in the same period a year earlier. Total oilmeal exports for the 2025‑26 financial year were 37.68 lakh tonnes.

Soybean meal exports plunged 73%, falling to 2,05,000 tonnes from 7,57,000 tonnes a year earlier. The SEA noted that Indian soybean meal faced severe pricing pressure in August 2026, trading around $622 per tonne versus global benchmarks near $445 per tonne. Cheaper supplies from South American producers such as Argentina and Brazil continue to capture major market share.

Strong domestic demand from livestock and poultry feed makers, ongoing Red Sea shipping disruptions, and high maritime freight costs also constrained outbound shipments. Rapeseed meal exports provided a partial cushion, with sales to key Asian buyers including China, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Rapeseed meal shipments totaled 8,80,000 tonnes, down from 9,15,000 tonnes a year earlier.

Castor meal exports fell to 96,245 tonnes from 1,06,000 tonnes, while groundnut meal exports dropped to 3,231 tonnes from 14,960 tonnes.

China, Bangladesh, South Korea and Vietnam were the main importers of Indian oilmeals in April‑August. China bought 4,01,000 tonnes, up from 3,75,356 tonnes a year earlier, comprising 3,94,856 tonnes of rapeseed meal, 4,528 tonnes of soybean meal and 1,616 tonnes of castor meal. Bangladesh imported 2,17,194 tonnes, against 1,78,190 tonnes, including 2,08,079 tonnes of rapeseed meal, 8,204 tonnes of soybean meal and 911 tonnes of rice bran extraction. South Korea purchased 1,53,932 tonnes, down from 2,09,887 tonnes, made up of 86,636 tonnes of rapeseed meal, 48,796 tonnes of castor meal and 18,458 tonnes of soybean meal. Vietnam purchased 1,23,951 tonnes, up from 92,189 tonnes, including 65,510 tonnes of rice bran extraction, 53,580 tonnes of rapeseed meal, 4,600 tonnes of soybean meal and 261 tonnes of groundnut meal.