India's 2008 soy output may reach 10.5 million tonnes

India is likely to harvest a bumper soybean crop of 10.0 million to 10.5 million tonnes in the coming crop year starting October, up from 9.47 million tonnes in the current year due to higher area sown under the crop, said Ashok Sethia, president of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India.

The area under soy crop in the country has risen 9.5 percent to 9.56 million hectares during June 1-Sept. 11, according to the latest government data.

Domestic demand for edible oils is likely to continue to grow at 300,000 tonnes a year, boosting imports, said Sethia.

"This year, edible oil imports are likely to rise to 5.3 million to 5.4 million tonnes, as against 4.72 million tonnes last year," he said.